In both readings today we have stories of hungry people. In the first reading from Numbers the Israelites lament and complain because they have no food but this “disgusting” manna. They would even been willing to return to the “good old days” in Egypt!
“Would that we had meat for food! We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt, and the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now we are famished; we see nothing before us but this manna.”
They have quickly forgotten that the “good old days” in Egypt were not so good as they were enslaved them and oppressed them with force labor. Moses himself complains to God because he is overwhelmed by the burden of leadership and feeding this multitude:
“I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you will deal with me, then please do me the favor of killing me at once, so that I need no longer face this distress.”
Jesus also faces a hungry crowd in today’s Gospel. Much like Moses, the disciples of Jesus have no idea what to do when he commands them: “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourself.” Jesus teaches them how to feed both their physical and spiritual hunger:
“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.”
We can clearly recognize the Eucharist in Jesus’ words and actions. Each Sunday we are feed by the Word of God and by the Eucharist as the Second Vatican Council reminds us:
“The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord, since, especially in the sacred liturgy, she unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the bread of life from the table both of God’s word and of Christ’s body.” (Dei verbum, #21).
As we celebrate the Eucharist, we also feed the physically hungry as we gather food for St. Francis House before Mass and as the children bring up food during the offertory. We are heeding Jesus’ command to us as disciples: “Give them some food yourself.”
Image: “06 Jesus feeding the Five Thousand (color)” by fz1844 is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.