In answering to people’s needs, Jesus does not act alone. He involves his disciples in his saving action. He asks for whatever they may have on hand. It is not much, just seven loaves of bread and a few fish, but it is enough for Jesus. It represents poverty of spirit that disposes men and women to divine grace.

Aside from providing the initial components of the multiplied bread, the disciples stand as the intermediaries between Jesus and the crowd. Jesus asks for their hand in extending divine blessings. In the shared meal, the crowd celebrates God’s compassion and grace meeting their need. The bread and fish restore their strength.

Matthew notes that leftover fragments (Greek klasmata) fill seven baskets. They are gathered so that they are not wasted. At Mass, the sacred hosts are also called klasmata. This establishes the connection between the loaves that Jesus multiplied to feed the crowd and the communion bread that the people receive today, which is the Body of Christ. This is done through the intermediary of ordained ministers. Moreover, in ancient numerology, seven signifies perfection or fullness. Thus Jesus’ gift of compassion fully satisfies and overflows, reflecting the superabundance of blessings that he brings for the people, then and now.

On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain, he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations, he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken.

On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked, let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.

“I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets full.