TODAY’S READINGS

The Gospel reading is from Mt 15:29-37. It ends this way:

They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full. (v. 37)

“It is interesting to note that in both miracles of multiplication of loaves and fish Jesus provides food in abundance but does not allow anything to go to waste. All Jesus’ miracles, in addition to being concrete historical events, are also symbols of supernatural realities. Here abundance of material food also signifies abundance of divine gifts on the level of grace and glory: it refers to spiritual resources and eternal rewards; God gives people more graces than are strictly necessary. This is borne out by Christian experience throughout history. St Paul tells us that ‘where sin increased, grace abounded all the more’ (Rom 5:20); he speaks of ‘the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us’ (Eph 1:8) and tells his disciple Timothy that ‘the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus’ (1 Tim 1:14).” (The Navarre Bible: St Matthew, 148)

It should be difficult for Catholics to not think about the Eucharist with the miracle of the loaves. The insight above reinforces this connection. The ‘supersubstantial‘ bread of the Eucharist presents to us the supernatural gift of grace in superabundance — if we are open and disposed to receive it and digest it.

God bless.