Sunday Readings: Genesis 14.18-20; 1 Corinthians 11.23-26; Luke 9.11-17
“Then, taking the five loaves and the two fishes, Jesus raised his eyes to heaven, pronounced a blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to his disciples for distribution to the crowd. They all ate until they had enough. What was left filled twelve baskets” (Luke 9.16-17).
In Sunday’s gospel Jesus takes familiar, visible food (bread and fish) and blesses it, acknowledging this food is a gift of God. He breaks the bread and gives it to the crowd that has listened to his teaching. Jesus takes, blesses, breaks, and gives the bread—the actions in every Eucharist.
The 12 baskets of leftovers symbolize a fullness, enough for all always, enough for us in our time. Jesus Christ reveals God’s graciousness. His body and blood, the sign of his self-giving love, will feed all those who hunger and thirst always.
When shared, the food Jesus gives multiplies, just as love and forgiveness do. Jesus’ teaching nourishes. We hear and make his word our own in living it. We become what we eat in sharing the bread that becomes the body of Christ at Eucharist.
At the beginning of Sunday’s gospel, Jesus urges his disciples to give the crowd something to eat themselves. This is our call, too, to hand on what we become in the Eucharist— nourishing love in abundance for all.
- How has celebrating Eucharist in your home community nourished your capacity to love others?