How many times have we heard the story of the multiplication of the loaves? It is so well known to all of us, even to those who have no faith. I was aware for the first time very recently of the story's setting and how hearing the story in this light makes it all the more powerful.
In the 14th chapter of St. Matthew's gospel, we read about how John the Baptist was put in prison for speaking out against Herod on the issue of marriage. Herod wants to kill John but is afraid to because he fears the people who hold John to be a prophet. He finally has John beheaded and his head then brought on a platter before his guests only in order to honor an oath he had made before his guests. So, we see Herod's actions propelled by his concern for himself and what people will think of him.
Furthermore he offers his guests an abomination of desolation. He offers them flesh that will not nourish them but leave them repulsed.
"13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them and healed their sick." Matthew 14:13-14.
Surely Jesus was grieving deeply at the death of his beloved cousin who had "prepared the way of the Lord", who had leapt for joy in his Aunt Elizabeth's womb at Mary's greeting. Yet, Jesus is completely selfless even in this moment of horrific personal grief. He has compassion on them because, as Mark's gospel tells us, they were like sheep without a shepherd. So instead of asking them to go away and let him have some private time, He heals their sick, teaches them -feeding them with His word-, and then feeds them with miraculous bread in a brilliantly luminous prefigurement of the Eucharist.
It struck me that this is the Joyful Hope that we must try to imitate in these terrible times. As Malachy Martin said not many years ago in reference to the third secret of Fatima, we will surely suffer dry martyrdom if not very wet martyrdom. When we lose a friend in such a circumstance or we suffer ourselves for standing up for fundamental truths like the sacredness of marriage, let us remember this selfless example of humility and strive to bring hope to others.
Remember that Jesus said "YOU give them something to eat". To Peter who denied him - and how many times have we all denied him - He said "Feed my sheep". We have to act ourselves no matter how insignificant our efforts seem. Jesus will multiply and do the feeding but the food from us must be real tangible offerings to begin with.
It is worth remembering that Jesus was "True God and True Man". His grief was real human grief, His resurrection was a real bodily resurrection, the multiplication of the loaves was real food that satisfied real hunger. John 6: 55 "For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed." Jesus came to the world as the True God and True Man, The Word made flesh-- and He truly gave himself to us. We need to give our little bit of dust back to Him and watch what He does with it.
In my back yard there are huge Douglas Fir trees. I just spent $1000 to have a few of them cut down because they were threatening the house. Well, these sixty-plus foot trees came out of the dust as tiny, vulnerable little seedlings. I too came out of the dust. I remeber that every time I eat delicious vegetables out of my garden. What can I give back to Jesus? I give Him my will, my music, my art, my love of His amazing creation, and my feeble witness to Truth. I will try to give alms and works of mercy too. I've got some work to do!
