Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 1st August

Message from Fr Paul for Monday, 1st August 2022

 Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew, (Mt 14: 13-21), is fascinating for a number of reasons. We usually focus on the feeding of the five thousand, and rightly so, but there is much more to it than that. It begins like this:

“When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So, as he stepped ashore, he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.”

It begins, then, with the death of John the Baptist and the reaction of Jesus to withdraw to some lonely place, together with his disciples, to reflect and pray. The death of John is a warning that Jesus and those who follow him will be next in line of annihilation. Their message and lifestyle, like that of John and his disciples, is dangerous and revolutionary in the eyes of the religious and civil authorities. Jesus had gone by boat, but the crowds follow on foot in the hope of finding him. They are desperate, there is no one else to go to. Jesus, seeing the crowds, has compassion and heals the sick, but there are so many that, before they know it, the day is ending and evening falls. It’s worth noting that when Jesus seeks quiet solitude, he is often followed by crowds who get there before him. They can’t understand his need for spiritual rest, yet Jesus always responds warmly and never chastises or rejects them. Those of us who follow Jesus should follow his example and always be at the service of those who need us.

“When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so, send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.”

 The disciples have the obvious solution to the lack of provisions to feed such a large crowd. It’s getting late: send them home. But Jesus objects and suggests that they feed the crowds. They realistically reply that all they have are five loaves and two fish. Would that have been enough for Jesus and the Twelve? Possibly, but to feed such a vast number of people? Obviously not, but Jesus gives orders that they are to sit on the grass and then he prays. Taking the loaves and fish, he raises his eyes to heaven and says the blessing. Is it the Father he blesses or the food? Breaking the bread, and handing what has been broken to the disciples, who distribute the bread, there is more than enough for everyone. In fact, even the left overs fill twelve baskets. Enough for the morrow, perhaps, or for the people to take home? And where did the baskets come from? We can go on asking such questions. Jesus knew what he was doing, as did the Father. Matthew is at pains to add that the number was in fact five thousand men, plus women and children, and no doubt their pet dogs!