DIVINE PROVIDENCE

In the Gospel of Matthew (14:13-21), the miracle of superabundance reveals God’s infinite generosity to His people. The miracle of the feeding of the crowd is narrated by all four gospels. It means that the story is important to the Christian communities. God is never outdone in generosity. He provides because His love is everlasting and unconditional. The Psalm declares that the hand of the Lord feeds us. He answers all our needs. Matthew narrates that Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist. And He withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by Himself. The death of John the Baptist prefigures His violent death on the Cross. It points to His destiny. Yet when He saw the vast crowd coming to Him, He put aside his grieving and welcomed them teaching them, healing them and feeding them. This reveals His great compassion and mercy. He told His disciples to give them food themselves. This is to teach them that He is the source nourishment and satisfaction of the people. He is the source of fruitfulness and life. He alone is our peace and joy. He is the fulfillment of all the longings and yearnings of humanity. Jesus did not feed the crowd directly but He left that to his disciples. And He still does today. We are called to be mediators between Jesus and others offering the little we have with total generosity. Five loaves and two fish reveal that the miracle of superabundance begins with little. It is because the kingdom of God begins with small beginnings to great endings. The miracle of the multiplication of the bread points to the Holy Eucharist. It is the table of plenty and abundance. It is the source and summit of Christian life. It points to Jesus’ selflessness giving all and loving to the end. It is the sacrament of unity and sharing calling us to be in communion with everyone. He is the bread of life restoring us to wholeness in body and spirit. He creates a new family that transcends blood bonds and family ties. A new family that does the will of the Father. The miracle of superabundance teaches us that God cares His people and that there is enough and more for everybody. He is not far away from us. He is Emmanuel, God is with us. He is involved and engages. The miracle reminds us that the ups and downs of life are not a contradiction of God’s loving care for us. We are not in control. We are all vulnerable. Suffering is part of human experience. We are called to rely on God alone, the only way to be strong and to be fully alive.