The multiplication of bread is the only miracle story found in all the four Gospels. Here we see Jesus feeding five thousand out of five loaves and two fish. The people were so delighted, they have never seen anyone from among their leaders who can do such wonderful deed. Their hunger satisfied and their initial awe diminished, they soon forget what this event is all about. Jesus teaches us today to go beyond the surface level, to dig deep, reflect and learn the real meaning of the phenomenon at hand., and discover the real treasure of life, Jesus in the midst of His people. “What is essential is invisible to the eye... The essential things in life are seen not with the eyes, but with the heart."

Another important element of multiplication narrative is the involvement of other people, His disciples, making them realize their own power and great potential. If we entrust everything to the Lord, then He can use us as His instrument to accomplish many things for His people. He could have done everything in His power to feed the five thousand in a more spectacular way. But Jesus wants His disciple to learn the deeper lesson in life and the values it brings in everyday life. After blessing the bread, He gave it to them to distribute, the disciples broke the bread and gave it to the people up to their fill. The subtle message is: The Kingdom of God is within us, but it is also among us and between us!

Jesus in the midst is the most important thing, He is in the midst of His people. The significance of Jesus action at the multiplication of bread also points us forward to the institution of the Eucharist. He wants to be in our midst every time we celebrate the Eucharist. If only people will listen to God from within, learn the deeper meaning and value of the multiplication miracle, that Jesus feels the longing and hunger of His people. He is in our midst, which only the heart can see, He is with us and He wants us to obey His commandments, and that there is enough for everyone (twelve baskets of left-over), obeying Him would bring peace, unity, reconciliation, and sharing. He is present in our midst, and He lives in each one of us. Unless we acknowledge His presence in our midst after we are filled, we will be just like the people in the Gospel who only felt their physical hunger satisfied, but still spiritually thirsty and hungry.

“God knows what your silent heart wants, even if you don’t include it in your prayer, He hears what your heart whispers. He may not give it to you now, but someday, when you least expect it, things will happen in the best possible way.”

Jesus, You are in our midst, help us to be aware and feel Your presence with us and among us.

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