Today’s gospel is the familiar story of the mysterious multiplication of the loaves and fishes to feed a hungry crowd. It is the only miracle to appear in all four gospels. Matthew tells the story twice. This gospel is seen as anticipating the Eucharist and the heavenly banquet. It also points us back to the feeding of the Israelites with manna in the desert at the time of the Exodus.
This is a gospel story about what God can do. Only God can take our simple offerings and transform them into something wonderful. This is what happens in every celebration of the Eucharist when we repeat Jesus’ actions of taking, blessing, breaking, and giving.
When have you experienced God doing something wonderful with little things you have? How does the celebration of the Eucharist help you to keep your eyes open to great things God can do?