Session 11: Jesus feeds five thousand

Jesus is travelling in Galilee. By now many have seen him heal and work many miracles, and and a large crowd follows him everywhere he goes. Amongst a crowd of 5000 which has gathered, Jesus works another miracle to feed them. Watch a video and/or read the story - it can be found in all gospels (Matthew 14:13-21, John 6:1-14, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:12-17)

Video: Jesus Feeds the 5,000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6rj9cAJrWE

Source: Saddleback kids on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6rj9cAJrWE

Discuss:

How do the disciples react to the hungry crowd? Does Jesus deal with it differently?

In Matthew 14:15 - the disciples wanted to send the crowd away to the nearby village to find food for themselves. They did not think it was possible to feed them all. Jesus did not want to do send them away - he wanted to meet the needs of the crowd and feed them.

Jesus asks the disciples to do something that seems impossible - to find/buy enough food to feed the crowd. How does Jesus manage to feed them? What can the disciples / we learn through this miracle?

The disciples are only able to find five loaves and two fish to feed the crowd. Jesus looked up to heaven, blessed the loaves and fish and broke them, and distributed it to the crowd. There was so much food they could collect twelve basketful of leftover food.

We learn through this miracle that sometimes, even though the need seems very great and our resources seem very little, we can still contribute what we have. Jesus multiples our 'loaves and fishes' - our efforts and contributions - to meet the need.

What 'loaves and fishes' can we share or contribute today?

Does Jesus continue to feed us today? How does he do so?

Jesus continues to feed us spiritually today, through the Word of God, as well as sacramentally through the Eucharist.