In today’s readings we look at the familiar story oof Jesus feeding the five thousand, the only miracle story mentioned in all four gospels. This scene deeply affected the first Christians. They compared this miracle to the first introduction to the Eucharist by Jesus. St. Ignatius of Antioch calls the breaking of bread, which is the medicine of immortality and the antidote to prevent us from dying, enabling us to live for ever in Jesus Christ. Justin the Martyr says the food which has been made into the Eucharist is both flesh and blood of the incarnated Jesus. We need food to sustain and strengthen us each day. Similarly, the Eucharist is the spiritual food needed for us to sustain our spiritual life. It is the key to remember this famous miracle of Jesus. How much faith do we have in the Eucharist? In the early Church, Christians were willing to risk their lives to receive this great gift of God. And we have heard of the many great miracles that took place when people received it. Let us pray that we would not lose our faith in it.

Prayer: Abba Father, give us the eyes of faith to see that it is the Lord Jesus that we are receiving each time in the Eucharist. Amen.