In this Sunday's Gospel, we have St. Matthew's account of the our Lord's feeding of the five thousand. The account is ripe with allusions to the Old Testament in order to show how our Lord fulfilled the prophesies of long ago. For example, Jesus, the Son of David, is the one who fulfills Isaiah's prophesy of all being satisfied by the Lord in both food and drink. All those who come to the waters of baptism will be satisfied even as the five thousand had their hunger and thirst satisfied. The reading also hints at the Eucharist by our Lord's actions which foreshadows the Last Supper. He takes bread, gives a blessing, breaks the bread, and gives the bread to the apostles who actually are the ones who distribute the fish and the bread. The last detail indicates how the Eucharist will be continued at the hands of the apostles who will do this in memory of Jesus. Finally, there are twelve baskets of leftovers which is one for each of the Twelve whom Jesus had earlier asked to give the people something themselves. Through Jesus, they will be able to give the Bread from Heaven which will satisfy all who hunger and thirst for God.

Readings:

Isaiah 55:1-3
Psalm 145:8-9, 15-18
Romans 8:35,37-39
Matthew 14:13-21

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

• St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)


• Food in Due Season (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology


• The Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from The Crossroads Initiative