When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew by boat to a deserted place by Himself. He went to mourn in solitude the cousin He had known as a boy many years ago, the man He once called the greatest among living men.

When He disembarked, He saw the vast crowd who had followed Him, and His heart was moved to pity. He cured their sick. As evening came, He knew they were hungry. When His Apostles could not feed the crowd, He took the little they had (five loaves and two fish), and He blessed it, broke the loaves, and gave them to them.

When they ate, they were then satisfied. Five thousand men and all the women and children who were with them were fed and were satisfied.

The miracle of the loaves and fish is the only miracle recounted in all four Gospels. In Mark and Luke’s Gospel it is recounted twice each.

In this story we see Jesus’ care for His people. We also see His super-abundant response to their need. Each person gets not just what he needs, but more than he needs. Note the phrase: “He looked up to Heaven.” The power to do this came from on high, just as the manna came in the desert and God’s heavenly food comes to us in the Eucharist.

May God always help us to the Holy Eucharist as a sign of God’s love for us.

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell