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Message from the desk of the Pastor:

THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Gospel Reading 

Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus feeds the crowd with five loaves and two fish.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today we jump ahead in our reading of Matthew's Gospel to Chapter 14. Last        week we heard Jesus conclude his discourse with the crowds about the Kingdom      of Heaven. In Matthew's narrative, Jesus then leaves the crowds and returns to Nazareth, where he is rejected. Matthew then recounts the story of John the    Baptist's arrest and execution at the hands of Herod. Today's Gospel reading      begins at this point.

Upon hearing the news of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus seeks to withdraw,  but the crowds follow him. Jesus reaches out to them in compassion and heals      the sick. At the end of a long day, the disciples encourage Jesus to send the crowds away so that they might find provisions for themselves. Jesus again responds with compassion for the crowd. Jesus tells his disciples to provide food for the crowd. The disciples reply with a report of the meagerness of their own provisions—five loaves and two fish. The result is the very familiar miracle of the multiplication of    the loaves and fish. Matthew's Gospel tells us that 5,000 men were fed, and this number does not even include the women and children.

Jesus' blessing brought abundance from the meager provisions of the disciples.        In this action, Jesus offers us a sign of the Kingdom of Heaven that he has been teaching about in the parables. A feast results from the smallest of portions—remember the mustard seed and the yeast. In this miracle we witness an example  for Christian life and ministry. Even the smallest of offerings can produce abundant results when placed in the service of the Kingdom of Heaven.

We find the story of Jesus' multiplication of the loaves and the fish in each of the  four Gospels. In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Jesus performs this same  miracle on two separate occasions. The story of this miracle is an anticipation of    the Eucharist in which we are fed by the abundant grace of God. The importance of the Eucharist has been a defining element of Christian life from the very beginning.

Family Connection

In our family life we can sometimes hear echoes of the disciples' excuses:            “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Sometimes this echo is heard        from children squabbling about the last piece of cake. Sometimes it is heard in        our concern about the limits of the family's income or possessions. Sometimes      this echo is heard in our complaints about the seemingly endless demands for        our time and attention. Jesus understood these feelings and taught us to see    beyond our limitations. Jesus modeled for us a compassion that reaches out to others, even when we would rather withdraw into ourselves. Jesus taught us that  God blesses compassion offered to others with his grace. Today's Gospel reminds  us that with God there is not only enough, there is an abundance!

Talk together about some of the stresses and demands for time and attention        that your family members might feel. Acknowledge that we sometimes have to    make difficult choices about how to use our time, talents, and treasure. Then read together today's Gospel, Matthew 14:13-21. Notice how much Jesus cared for the crowds, healing the sick even though he wanted to withdraw to a quiet place. Notice how the disciples responded to Jesus' instruction to feed the crowd; they noted their limited supply of food. Jesus blessed this limited supply of food, and it was enough to feed the entire crowd, more than 5,000 people, and there were leftovers! Pray together that Jesus will grant us compassion like his so that we will offer whatever we have to others with compassion and generosity. Pray together today's Psalm, Psalm 145, or the Lord's Prayer.