Gospel MT 14:13-21
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist,
he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.
When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said,
“This is a deserted place and it is already late;
dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages
and buy food for themselves.”
He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away;
give them some food yourselves.”
But they said to him,
“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”
Then he said, “Bring them here to me,”
and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied,
and they picked up the fragments left over–
twelve wicker baskets full.
Those who ate were about five thousand men,
not counting women and children.

Reflection:

Jesus and John the Baptist had known each other their entire lives. Their mothers were cousins, and most likely they played together as young boys. They were like minded; John had been preaching his gospel of repentance even before Jesus appeared on the public scene.
Now, the word came to Jesus that John, his beloved cousin and friend, is dead. And, not only is he dead, but he’s been beheaded by the despot, Herod.
Deeply saddened by the death of John, our Lord sought solitude to mourn: “When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.”
But, as a well known prophet and healer, Jesus would not be allowed private time for mourning. “The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.”
Here, we see the deep compassion and selflessness of Jesus, the Christ: “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.”
Late in the day, after Jesus had healed the sick, the disciples realize there is no food to feed the massive crowd of more than five thousand.
They urge Jesus, “……dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”
But Jesus said, “Give them some food yourselves.”
This, of course, is what Jesus says to us as well….when we are aware of the poor all around us, or we know the reality of parents that cannot make ends meet and put food on the table for their children.
And, when we wonder what’s the matter with the government or the church that they allow these conditions to exist. Jesus says to us, “Give them some food yourselves.”
Over two thousand years ago, Jesus multiplied the five loaves and fed thousands who were hungry.
Do we have the “selflessness and compassion” to bring what little we have and trust that once again, Jesus Christ will multiply what we provide to feed the hungry in today’s world?
Or, do we say it’s too “late” and urge Jesus to “dismiss them” to find food for themselves?
Jesus said, “Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food.'” Matthew 25: 34