ACC ~ Luke 9 v7 - 17

OVERVIEW:

Luke alone stresses the teachings about the kingdom of God in the introduction to this miracle, namely, “to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick,” and then concludes with the notice that Jesus spoke about the kingdom and healed the sick (BEDE). The kingdom of God comes as the Messiah teaches, heals and feeds his people, as was promised by the prophets of old (AMBROSE).

The feeding of the five thousand has Old Testament precedents. Jesus is the prophet like Moses, who feeds the people in the wilderness (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). There are also some allegorical aspects to the feeding miracle that connect it to the Old Testament; for example, the five loaves represent the five books of Moses (AUGUSTINE). The five loaves may also represent the five senses, with the seven loaves in the feeding of the four thousand the sanctified bread of rest that anticipates the eight loaves of the resurrection (AMBROSE).

This bread is the Word of God that grows mystically in the way that the water becomes wine at the wedding of Cana. The miraculous food of loaves and fish multiplied for thousands will give way to the stronger food of Christ, his body and blood. This feeding miracle is a foretaste of the satisfaction of the church at the Lord’s table and at the heavenly banquet (AMBROSE).

In the feeding of the five thousand, the Creator gives substantial food to his creation through the Messiah in abundance for lasting life (PRUDENTIUS). Such an abundance encourages those who have little to offer hospitality to strangers, for the Lord will provide what is needed (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). This abundance comes from the heavenly table of the Lord (PRUDENTIUS). Table fellowship with Jesus is a foretaste of the future eschatological meal, which Jesus as the bread of life prepares for believers for the life of the world (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA).

9:7-11 | Introduction to the Miracle

TEACHING AND HEALING PRECEDE THE MIRACLE

BEDE: You see, our Lord provided encouragement for the multitude that was following him as the Passover, the Jews’ festival day, was drawing near. He did this by his words of salvation, together with the help of his cures. As another Evangelist wrote, he spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who were in need of being cured. When his acts of teaching and healing were completed, he refreshed them most abundantly from a small amount of food. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 2.2. [1]

[1] CS 111:13*.

THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE FOOD OF CHRIST ARE FIRST HEALED

AMBROSE: After the law has passed away, the food of the gospel begins to feed the hungry hearts of the people. … It was fitting that those whom he had healed from the pain of wounds he freed from hunger with spiritual nourishment. Thus none receives the food of Christ unless he was first healed, and the calling first heals those who are called to the feast. [1] If one was lame, he received the ability to walk, so that he came. If one lacked the sight of his eyes, he could indeed not enter the house of the Lord, unless his sight was restored. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 6.69-70. [2]

[1] See Lk 14:21.

[2] EHG 217**.

9:12-15 | Preparation

MOSES’ MIRACLE OF MANNA

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The feeding of the multitudes in the desert by Christ is worthy of all admiration. But it is also profitable in another way. We can plainly see that these new miracles are in harmony with those of ancient times. They are the acts of one and the same power. He rained manna in the desert upon the Israelites. He gave them bread from heaven. “Man did eat angels’ food,” [1] according to the words of praise in the Psalms. But look! He has again abundantly supplied food to those who needed food in the desert. He brought it down, as it were, from heaven. Multiplying that small amount of food many times and feeding so large a multitude, so to speak, with nothing, is like that first miracle. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 48. [2]

[1] Ps 78:25 (77:25 LXX).

[2] CGSL 215**.

THE FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES

AUGUSTINE: The five loaves are understood as the five books of Moses. Rightly, they are not wheat but barley loaves because they belong to the Old Testament. You know that barley was created in such a way that one can scarcely get to its kernel. This kernel is clothed with a covering of husk, and this husk is tenacious and adhering, so that it is stripped off with effort. Such is the letter of the Old Testament, clothed with the coverings of carnal mysteries. If one gets to its kernel, it feeds and satisfies. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 24.5. [1]

[1] FC 79:234-35**.

THE MYSTERY OF THE LOAVES EXPLAINED

AMBROSE: For we read that first five thousand are fed with five loaves, then four thousand with seven loaves. [1] So let us seek the mystery which the miracle represents. Those five thousand, like the body’s five senses, seem to have received from Christ food similar to physical food. But the four thousand [2] are still in the body and in the world that is known to be of four elements. … Seven baskets of fragments remained from the four thousand. [3] This bread of sabbaths is no ordinary bread. It is sanctified bread. It is a bread of rest. Perhaps, if you will first eat the five loaves with the senses, I shall dare also to say you will not eat bread on earth on the third day, after eating the five loaves and the seven. [4] You will eat eight loaves above the earth, like those who are in the heavens. As the seven loaves are loaves of rest, so the eight loaves are the loaves of the resurrection. Therefore those who are fed on the seven loaves will persevere to the third day and, perhaps, attain the whole faith and steadfastness of the future resurrection. Then there is the voice of the saints: “We will go a three days’ journey, that we may feast with the Lord our God.” [5] EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 6.79-80. [6]

[1] Mt 15:34-38.

[2] Mt 15:38.

[3] Mt 15:37.

[4] Mt 15:32.

[5] Ex 5:3.

[6] EHG 221-22**.

9:16 | The Miracle

BREAD IS THE WORD OF GOD THAT GROWS MYSTICALLY

AMBROSE: This bread which Jesus breaks is truly the mystical Word of God and a discourse about Christ which is increased while it is distributed. From a few discourses, he ministered abundant nourishment to all peoples. He gave discourses to us like loaves that are doubled when they are poured forth from our mouths. That bread in an incomprehensible fashion is visibly increased when it is broken, when it is distributed, when it is eaten without any understanding of how it is provided. … Truly, Christ’s gifts seem small but are very great. They are not bestowed on one person but on peoples, for the food grew in the mouth of those who ate it. This food seemed to be for bodily nourishment but was taken for eternal salvation. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 6.86, 88. [1]

[1] EHG 224-26**.

CHRIST HAS YET TO FEED THEM WITH STRONGER FOOD

AMBROSE: The order of the mystery is preserved everywhere. The first healing is bestowed on wounds through the remission of sins. Then the nourishment of the heavenly table abounds, although this multitude is not yet refreshed with stronger foods, nor do hearts hungry for more solid faith feed on the body and blood of Christ. [1] He says, “I gave you milk to drink, not meat. For you then were not strong, nor are you yet.” [2] The five loaves are like milk, but the more solid meat is the body of Christ, and the stronger drink is the blood of the Lord. [3] Not immediately at first do we feast on all foods, nor do we drink all drinks. “First drink this,” he says. Thus there is a first, then a second thing that you drink. There is also a first thing that you eat, then a second, and then a third. At first there are five loaves, then there are seven. [4] The third loaf is the true body of Christ. So, then, let us never abandon such a Lord. He agrees to bestow on us nourishment according to the strength of each, lest either too strong a food oppress the weak or too meager a nourishment not satisfy the strong. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 6.71-72. [5]

[1] Heb 5:12-14.

[2] 1 Cor 3:2.

[3] Lk 22:19-20.

[4] Mt 15:34.

[5] EHG 218**.

SATISFACTION FROM FEEDING MIRACLE FORESHADOWS THE LORD’S BODY AND BLOOD

AMBROSE: There is also a mystery in that the people who eat are satisfied. The apostles minister to them. [1] The sign is given of hunger satisfied forever because one who has received the food of Christ will never hunger again. [2] The future distribution of the Lord’s body and blood is based in the ministry of the apostles. It is already there in the miracle in the way five loaves are multiplied for five thousand people. It is clear that the people were satisfied not with a little but with an abundance of food. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 6.84. [3]

[1] Cf. Mt 14:19; 15:36; Mk 6:42.

[2] Jn 6:35.

[3] EHG 224**.

9:17 | The Meal

ABUNDANCE FOR LASTING LIFE

PRUDENTIUS:

“Place,” he said, “in these twelve baskets all the fragments that remain.”

Thousands at that feast reclining, with abundance had been fed

On the five loaves they had eaten and two fishes multiplied.

You, our bread, our true refection, neverfailing sweetness are.

He can nevermore know hunger, who is at your banquet fed,

Nourishing not our fleshly nature, but imparting lasting life.

HYMNS FOR EVERY DAY 9.58-63.

ABUNDANCE OF THE MIRACLE ENCOURAGES HOSPITALITY TO STRANGERS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: But what was the result of the miracle? It was the satisfying of a large multitude with food. There were as many as five thousand men besides women and children, according to what another of the holy Evangelists has added to the narrative. [1] Nor did the miracle end here. There were also gathered twelve baskets of fragments. And what do we infer from this? A plain assurance that hospitality receives a rich recompense from God. The disciples offered five loaves. After a multitude this large had been satisfied, there was gathered for each one of them a basketful of fragments. Let nothing, therefore, prevent willing people from receiving strangers, no matter what there may be likely to blunt the will and readiness of men. Let no one say, “I do not possess suitable means. What I can do is altogether trifling and insufficient for many.” Receive strangers, my beloved. Overcome that reluctance which wins no reward. The Savior will multiply the little you have many times beyond expectation. Although you give but little, you will receive much. For he that sows blessings shall also reap blessings, [2] according to the blessed Paul’s words. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 48. [3]

ABUNDANCE FROM THE HEAVENLY TABLE

PRUDENTIUS:

God has broken five loaves and two fishes and fed the five thousand

With these foods that satisfy to the fullest their hunger.

Then twice six baskets are filled with the fragments that are left over:

Such is the bounty dispensed from the heavenly table forever.

SCENES FROM SACRED HISTORY 37. [4]

[1] Mt 14:21.

[2] 2 Cor 9:6.

[3] CGSL 215**.

[4] FC 52:191.

JESUS OFFERS HIMSELF AS BREAD OF LIFE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: [Jesus] offers himself as the bread of life to those who believe in him. [1] It is he who came down from heaven and gave life to the world. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 48. [2]

[1] Jn 6:33.

[2] CGSL 216*.