杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

杏MAP导航 Francis reflected on Jesus鈥� miracle of the multiplication of the loaves (Mt 14:13-21) during his catechesis at the Sunday Angelus.

He said the people had gone to listen to Jesus in a deserted place, because 鈥淗is words and His gestures restore and bring hope.鈥�

As the sun goes down and those present begin to seek food, Jesus tells His disciples to give them something to eat.

鈥淛esus wants to use this situation to educate His friends, both then and now, about God鈥檚 logic: the logic of taking responsibility for others,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis.

Power as sign of charity

The 杏MAP导航 added that Jesus didn鈥檛 leave His disciples alone when they say there are only five loaves and two fishes. He takes the bread, breaks it, and gives it to the disciples for them to distribute.

鈥淲ith this gesture, Jesus expresses His power; not in a spectacular way but as a sign of charity, of God the Father鈥檚 generosity toward His weary and needy children.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis said Jesus is immersed in people鈥檚 lives, and that He understands our weaknesses and limits. 鈥淗e nourishes them with His word and provides plentiful sustenance.鈥�

Eucharist and daily bread

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to say that the multiplication of the loaves has clear Eucharistic overtones.

An important element is the connection between the Eucharistic bread 鈥� nourishment for eternal life 鈥� and our daily bread 鈥� which we require to survive.

鈥淏efore offering Himself to the Father as the Bread of salvation, Jesus ensures there is food for those who follow Him and who, in order to be with Him, neglected to make provisions.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 said this shows that there is no opposition between the spiritual and the material.

Compassion, trust, solidarity

He noted that Jesus鈥� compassion and tenderness for the crowd is 鈥渢he concrete manifestation of the love that cares about people鈥檚 needs.鈥�

The Holy Father urged everyone to draw near to the table of the Eucharist by imitating Jesus鈥� attitude of compassion.

鈥淐ompassion is not a purely material sentiment,鈥� he said. 鈥淭rue compassion is suffering with, taking upon ourselves the pain of others.鈥�

And he encouraged everyone to ask ourselves if we have compassion when we read the news about wars, hunger, or the pandemic. 鈥淒o I experience compassion for those people?鈥�

Compassion, he added, is 鈥渢rust in the provident love of the Father and means courageous sharing.鈥�

Journey of fraternity

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis prayed that Mary might help us along our Christian journey.

鈥淚t is the journey of fraternity,鈥� he said, 鈥渨hich is essential to face the poverty and suffering of this world 鈥� especially in this difficult moment 鈥� and which projects us beyond the world itself, because it is a journey that begins with God and returns to God.鈥�