SATURDAY 5TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME GOSPEL COMMENTARY:
THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND FISH (Mk 8:1–10).
Friday, 5th week of Ordinary Time
Mk 8:1–10
THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND FISH
In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people.
He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
- Jesus‘ compasssion towards those who were following Him led to his 2nd miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish. In the first time (Mk 6:33-44)
- Jesus performed the miracle, he did so because he saw a huge crowd like “sheep without a shepherd”;
- now, his heart is moved with pity for the crowd they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.
- These two miracles show us that Jesus is not indifferent with human suffering. He has a huge heart which understands our desires, difficulties, and needs – even the most basic ones- and thus, must fill us with gratitude towards Our Lord for his concern on our material and spiritual well-being, and trust Him and His Providence as well in the midst of our difficulties.
- The two miracles of the multiplication of the loaves and fish prefigure the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist wherein Our Lord will not only give us bread for our bodily needs, but the bread which came down from heaven for our salvation: His Body, which will fill us with profound joy.
- The gathering of the left-over fragments not only shows us the importance of poverty, but also of God’s suberabundant generosity to those who follow Him. We must never put to waste the graces which He gratuitously grants us but rather correspond to them and treasure them in our life.
COMMENTARY FROM THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH
- People ate until they were satisfied. Many authors see in this prodigy of the second multiplication of the loaves and fishes. an anticipatory symbol of the Eucharist. In the act of Holy Communion, an ineffable, intimate, living and fruitful union of man with Christ the Savior takes place.
- Saint Cyril of Jerusalem describes this marvelous union this way: “Mix two drops of melted wax and both will melt into one. In the same way, when we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, such a union is made between Him and us that He is found in us and we in Him (Catechesis 23, 4).”
- And Saint Leo the Great: “The communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, that is to say, Holy Communion, does not aspire but to transform us into what we receive, that we carry in soul and body the One with whom we have died, with whom we were buried and with whom we have risen (Homily 24, 2).”
VIDEO COMMENTARY
TOPIC: CAN ANYTHING EVER SATISFY YOUR HUNGER?
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus was overcome with compassion as he looked at the 4,000 people who have followed Him for three days. This is the second time Jesus multiplies the loaves and fish. In the first one, a couple of chapters before this, Jesus fed 5,000 men, all Jews, and had 12 baskets of leftovers; while in this one, He is in Gentile or pagan land and those who followed Him had a mix of men, women and children. There were leftovers equivalent to 7 big baskets after feeding everyone.
Five reflection points:
1. Be compassionate as He is compassionate
2. He is a God of mercy and justice
3. We are His arm of compassion
4. We should always rely on Him
5. We must always desire Him
READING FROM A SAINT’S WRITING
The pre-eminence of love
Blessed Isaac of Stella, abbot
Why, my brethren, are we so little concerned with finding opportunities to advance each other’s salvation, responding to greater need with greater help and bearing each other’s burdens? This is what St Paul advised: Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ – or, again, forbearing each other in love. For that is most definitely the law of Christ.
When I notice something wrong in my brother that cannot be corrected – either because it is inevitable or because it comes from some weakness of his in body or character – why do I not bear it patiently and offer my willing sympathy? As scripture says, their children will be carried on their shoulders and comforted on their laps. Could it be because there is a lack in me, a lack of that which bears all things and is patient enough to take up the burden, a lack of the will to love?
This is what the law of Christ is like, of Christ who bore our griefs in his passion and carried our sorrows in his compassion for us, loving those whom he carried and carrying those whom he loved. On the other hand, whoever turns on his brother in the brother’s time of need, who exploits his weakness, whatever that weakness may be – without doubt he has subjected himself to the law of Satan and is carrying it out. Let us have compassion for each other and love the brotherhood we share, bear each other’s weaknesses and fight against each other’s vices.
Whatever religious practice or observance it leads to, any teaching or discipline that fosters a stronger love of God and, through God, of our neighbours, is most acceptable to God for that reason. This love is the reason why things should be or not be, why they should remain the same or be changed. This love should be the reason why things are and the end to which all things are directed. For nothing can be considered wrong that is truly directed towards and according to that love.
Without such love we cannot be pleasing to God, and without it we cannot achieve anything at all. May God choose to grant it to us, he who lives and reigns through the undying ages. Amen!
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