In today’s Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21), we hear the well-known miracle of JESUS feeding five thousand people with just five loaves and two fish. The crowd, of course, was amazed, but this is about much more than just filling people’s hungry stomachs. This miracle shows us Who JESUS really is.

As Catholics, when we read the Bible, we always have to read the New Testament in the light of the Old, because the events and miracles of the Old Testament all point to Christ. The Church has always recognised Moses as a “type” or “pre-figuring” of Christ. The early Fathers of the Church called JESUS the “New Moses” but infinitely greater than Moses, because He is not just God’s servant – He is God Himself. Fifteen hundred years before Our Lord was born, Moses foretold Our Lord’s coming: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you” (Deuteronomy 18:15). St Peter declared that this prophecy was fulfilled in Christ (Acts 3:22). And the Father Himself confirmed this at the Transfiguration when He said, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5).

The similarities between Moses and Our Lord are very striking. Moses rescued the Israelites from the slavery of the Egyptians to take them to the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Christ rescued us from the far greater slavery of sin and the devil. Through His Passion, Death and Resurrection, JESUS has opened the way for us to the true Promised Land – not any earthly dwelling, but Heaven itself. As a baby, Moses escaped the murderous decree of Pharaoh, and the infant JESUS escaped the death decree of Herod. Moses passed through the waters of the Red Sea, and JESUS sanctified the waters by His Baptism in the River Jordan. Moses fasted forty days on Mount Sinai, and JESUS fasted forty days in the wilderness. Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai, whereas JESUS proclaimed the New Law in the Sermon on the Mount. Whereas Moses spoke on God’s behalf, JESUS spoke with God’s authority when He said, “You have heard that it was said … but I say to you …” (Matthew 5:21-22). Only God can speak like that.

One of the greatest signs that JESUS is the New Moses is the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Moses prayed in the desert and God fed the Israelites with the miraculous bread or manna from Heaven (Exodus 16). JESUS simply took five loaves and two fish, blessed it, and fed the multitudes. This was to prepare them for the still greater miracle of the Holy Eucharist, when He gave us the true Bread from Heaven – His own Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. “The bread that I shall give, is My Flesh, for the life of the world” (John 6:51). The manna in the desert sustained life for a day. The bread of the Holy Eucharist gives eternal life.

Let us never forget that every time we come to Mass, we meet the same JESUS who fed the five thousand. He still feeds His people today, not with ordinary bread, but with Himself. That is why we should come to Mass every Sunday, prepare carefully – with Confession if necessary – to receive Holy Communion, and never take this wonderful gift for granted. And this miracle also reminds us that JESUS is far more than a great teacher or a miracle worker. He is the New Moses, the Promised Messiah, God Himself, Who leads us out of sin, feeds us with the true Heavenly Bread, and guides us to the true Promised Land, which is Heaven.

Fr Paul Gillham, IC