Readings

* 2 Kgs 4:42-44 – Elisha feeds a crowd of one hundred men with twenty barley loaves.

* Eph 4:1-6 – Paul exhorts the faithful to preserve their unity and peace because they form one body in the one Spirit.

* Jn 6:1-15 – Jesus feeds a crowd of many thousands with just five barley loaves and two fish.

Theme: FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY CROWDS

Filled with compassion for the spiritual hunger of the crowds, in his apostolic ministry, Jesus nourished them with the spiritual food of his word. Today, we learn from the Gospel episode that he took care not only of the hearts and souls of his immense audience, but also of their bodies. He satisfied their physical hunger by performing a spectacular multiplication of bread and fish which aroused the enthusiasm of the crowds. Jesus was enabled to do that also by the generosity of the boy who put at his disposal all that he had with him on that occasion: five barley loaves and a couple of fish. We live in a world in which hundreds of millions of people lack the minimum material resources and facilities they would need to lead a decent human life. We know that all over the world – most especially in several African nations – millions are starving to death. Jesus Christ is starving and dying in them. The recall of what Jesus did two thousand years ago to meet the needs of the people around him is an inspiration and a challenge for all of us.

(Excerpt only)