Beloved in Christ,
“And they all ate and were satisfied” (Matthew 14:20). The miracle of the multiplication of loaves and feeding of the five thousand looks back to God’s satisfaction of the Jewish people’s hunger in the desert by feeding them manna. The miracle also points to the Eucharist which Jesus will establish at the Last Supper. Matthew indicates this reference by using verbs like “taking,” “blessed,” “broke,”
and “gave.” As God once satisfied the hunger of his people during their wandering in the desert, so shall he satisfy their hunger in the Messianic time through the Eucharist.
The miracle of the loaves in this Sunday’s gospel is not only about physical hunger; it also points to spiritual hunger and sustenance for a lifelong and eternal journey.
There is hunger in the heart of every human. The multiplication of bread satisfies the physical needs, but even more, it is a source of spiritual nourishment for the soul. When Prophet Isaiah says everyone who thirsts should come to the waters, to come, buy and eat wine and milk, he was quick to remind them not to seek satisfaction in what will not satisfy their inner longing; he says they should not be wasteful in their search and spending: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” He adds: “Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food” (55:1-2).
The message is clear: Only Jesus can satisfy our hunger and nourish us on our journey through this world to eternal life. As Matthew says, “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (4:4). The word and body of Christ are our ultimate sustenance. Jesus, full of compassion, sees our hunger and thirst. He comes to give us Himself in Scripture and the Eucharist. We can trust in his generosity and abundance. He will increase our insufficiency. Our little faith and love for him is enough because his grace is freely given; he who has no money, “without money and without price,” can approach Jesus, and he will satisfy our hunger because He loves us and he is full of compassion for the hungry.
In this month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, may Mary, the Mother of the Word, and all the amazing saints of August pray for us to seek satisfaction for our hungry heart in the Word that comes forth from the mouth of God and bread of life that only Jesus can give.
Let’s not forget to attend our parish communion building coffee and doughnut meal after masses on Sunday. Also, please plan to attend the next “Snacking with the Saints” (Africa) parish event next Sunday after the 10:30 mass.
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode, OP
“And they all ate and were satisfied” (Matthew 14:20). The miracle of the multiplication of loaves and feeding of the five thousand looks back to God’s satisfaction of the Jewish people’s hunger in the desert by feeding them manna. The miracle also points to the Eucharist which Jesus will establish at the Last Supper. Matthew indicates this reference by using verbs like “taking,” “blessed,” “broke,”
and “gave.” As God once satisfied the hunger of his people during their wandering in the desert, so shall he satisfy their hunger in the Messianic time through the Eucharist.
The miracle of the loaves in this Sunday’s gospel is not only about physical hunger; it also points to spiritual hunger and sustenance for a lifelong and eternal journey.
There is hunger in the heart of every human. The multiplication of bread satisfies the physical needs, but even more, it is a source of spiritual nourishment for the soul. When Prophet Isaiah says everyone who thirsts should come to the waters, to come, buy and eat wine and milk, he was quick to remind them not to seek satisfaction in what will not satisfy their inner longing; he says they should not be wasteful in their search and spending: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” He adds: “Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food” (55:1-2).
The message is clear: Only Jesus can satisfy our hunger and nourish us on our journey through this world to eternal life. As Matthew says, “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (4:4). The word and body of Christ are our ultimate sustenance. Jesus, full of compassion, sees our hunger and thirst. He comes to give us Himself in Scripture and the Eucharist. We can trust in his generosity and abundance. He will increase our insufficiency. Our little faith and love for him is enough because his grace is freely given; he who has no money, “without money and without price,” can approach Jesus, and he will satisfy our hunger because He loves us and he is full of compassion for the hungry.
In this month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, may Mary, the Mother of the Word, and all the amazing saints of August pray for us to seek satisfaction for our hungry heart in the Word that comes forth from the mouth of God and bread of life that only Jesus can give.
Let’s not forget to attend our parish communion building coffee and doughnut meal after masses on Sunday. Also, please plan to attend the next “Snacking with the Saints” (Africa) parish event next Sunday after the 10:30 mass.
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode, OP
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