Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

June 22, 2025

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ


Luke 9:11b-17


Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God,

and he healed those who needed to be cured.

As the day was drawing to a close,

the Twelve approached him and said,

"Dismiss the crowd

so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms

and find lodging and provisions;

for we are in a deserted place here."

He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves."

They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have,

unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people."

Now the men there numbered about five thousand.

Then he said to his disciples,

"Have them sit down in groups of about fifty."

They did so and made them all sit down.

Then taking the five loaves and the two fish,

and looking up to heaven,

he said the blessing over them, broke them,

and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

They all ate and were satisfied.

And when the leftover fragments were picked up,

they filled twelve wicker baskets.



+

A VIEW FROM THE PULPIT ...

providing insight into the Gospel's meaning

CORPUS CHRISTI


~ Rev. Frank A. Giuffre, S.S.L., S.T.D.

Professor of Biblical Studies, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary + Ambler, Pa.


In a place where solitude is expected, a crowd is met.  Mention of Jesus first “speaking of the Kingdom” before feeding with the loaves foreshadows the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist – both feeding miracles today! 


Like Emmaus, this feeding “opens eyes” to who Jesus is.  Jesus is firstly the prophet “greater than Moses” (Deut. 18:15.18) who speaks God’s Word. Moses obtained from heaven bread and meat (Exodus 16) “in a deserted place” for those journeying to the Promised Land.  God sent them manna and quail in abundance then. In Jesus, God acts creating it through his Word in the Spirit of Genesis 1! 


Jesus is secondly revealed as the greatest prophet.  Elisha fed 100 with 20 loaves (2 Kings 4:42-44).  Jesus however feeds many more people, 5000, with much less, 5 loaves and two fish. Elisha could do this because he was filled with a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9).  Jesus acts by nature because the “Spirit of the Lord” rests upon him (Luke 4:18).


Finally, Jesus is manifest as the priest and king/Messiah.  David, running for his life in the wilderness from Saul, was given for survival 5 loaves, the food of priests (1 Sam 21:4).  Jesus, the fulfillment of the Temple’s Bread and Priesthood, provides food at a moment when he is threatened by Herod’s persecution and heading to the cross.  Jesus fulfills God’s promised shepherd of the line of David (Ez 34:23) who pastures the sheep, making a fertile meadow (Ps 23:2) wherever he is present. 


The “taking,” “blessing,” and “breaking” link the feeding miracle with the miracle at every Mass.  There Jesus nourishes and is made manifest as the God who sustains those crowds who do not “desert” him even now.  

A VIEW FROM THE PEW ...

offering testimonies on how the Gospel is meaningful

Holy Leftovers & Humble Offerings



~ Linda Davis

Saint Mary' s Catholic Church + Lancaster, Pa.


Today, Jesus feeds the five thousand with just five loaves and two fish. He fills their bellies and sends them home with leftovers.  I need this reminder that my God is a God of both provision and compassion. I often feel like I’m running on empty, trying to meet my family’s needs with limited time, funds, energy, & patience. This gospel reminds me that if I bring even a morsel of these things to His feet, He will transform them into something abundant and life giving.


As I read about the disciples here, I can so easily see myself. I look at the smallness of what we have and assume it’s not enough. I question Jesus and His direction. But Jesus doesn’t scold them (or me). He takes what we have to offer and blesses it. That gives me hope. My offering might be a simple family dinner that kept us in budget, a whispered prayer in the chaos of toddler tantrums, or a moment of patience when I’d rather snap. It doesn’t feel like much in the moment, but in His hands, it’s multiplied and made beautiful.


Surrendering our insufficiencies to the Lord is hard. It’s pride shattering and painful at times, but we rest knowing that the Lord doesn’t ask us to bring Him perfection. All He asks is for our pieces for Him to transform in ways we never thought possible. 



How would you rate the overall quality of our Commentary Series?
X Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email
Instagram