December 4, 2024

Matthew 15:29-37

Today’s reading is the miracle of feeding the four thousand with loaves and fishes.  “Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.”  As the result of the miracles of their being healed – being able to walk, see, be made whole, speak, and so on – the crowds were amazed and glorified the God of Israel (perhaps they were Gentiles).

Jesus was then moved with pity for the crowd, who had been there for three days in a remote place and now had nothing to eat.  The disciples said they would not be able to find enough food in such a deserted place, so Jesus took the seven loaves and a few small fish, gave thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples who gave it to the crowds – four thousand men, not counting women and children with them.  “They all ate and were satisfied.” And seven baskets of bread were left over.

The overarching message here is of Jesus’ care and love for us, love like a mother.  Some of the medieval saints found Jesus’ love to be like that of a mother – motherly love.  He heals our bodies, minds, and hearts. He cares for our bodies and feeds us, both spiritually and physically.  This feeding with giving thanks and breaking bread foreshadows the Last Supper, which Jesus provided with foresight for our needs, and thus foretells the Eucharist.  It feeds us spiritually and physically.

The overwhelming message is of a mother’s love that does not differentiate between lofty spiritual ideals and very ordinary, earthly human needs. All are included, and nothing is too small or too ordinary to escape the caring attention of the Lord.  Amen.