MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES

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HEART OF CATECHESIS MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 14 JESUS, PARTY OF 5,000? When Jesus asks Philip Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?

During Medieval times, travelers dined at inns, taverns, and monasteries. Restaurants did not even exists until the late 1700 s.

1 HEART OF CATECHESIS MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 14 JESUS, PARTY OF 5,000? When Jesus asks Philip Where can we buy enough food for them to eat? He knew it was impossible for Philip to accomplish the task. Fast Food restaurants did not exist in those days. Street vendors sold food in Ancient Rome. During Medieval times, travelers dined at inns, taverns, and monasteries. Restaurants did not even exists until the late 1700 s. Even today, a restaurant would be hard pressed to accommodate a group that size (try getting a table for 5,000). At best, Philip might have been able to walk into town and purchase food from an outdoor market. But, the amount of food would have been insufficient; Vendors only brought what they could sell in a day as there was no way to preserve leftovers. DID YOU KNOW? The Sea of Galilee is 13 miles long and 8 miles wide with a depth up to 141 feet.. The distance across the sea from Bethsaida to Capernaum is about five nautical miles. On a fair wind day, the apostles could have sailed across in a few hours. On a bad day, it would have taken a lot of rowing. PARENTS & CATECHISTS READING REFLECTION & PRAYER Sacred Scripture JOHN 6:1-15 MATTHEW 14:22-33 Feeding of the Multitude Limbourg Brothers, 1416 Multiplication of the Loaves Walking on the Water Catechism of the Catholic Church #1335

2 Page 2 MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES Sacred Scripture Grades K-4 New Catholic Picture Bible pp The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes pp. 154 Jesus Walks on Water Grades 5-12 JOHN 6:1-15 Multiplication of the Loaves MATTHEW 9:9-13 Walking on the Water Catechism STUDENTS READING REFLECTION & PRAYER Grades K-2 First Communion Catechism n/a Grades 3-6 Baltimore Catechism #1 n/a Grades 7-12 Catechism of the Catholic Church #1335 TEACHING STRATEGY & OBJECTIVES DURING JESUS TIME IN GALILEE WE HAVE SEEN HIM TEACHING THROUGH HIS MIRACLES, PARABLES, AND THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. NOW BEGINS CHRIST S MOST CONTROVERSIAL TEACHING OF HIS MINISTRY. THIS WEEK WE WILL CON- TEMPLATE THE MIRACLE OF THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES AND JESUS WALKING ON THE WATER. THEME: OBJECTIVES: JESUS PROVIDES FOR US IN ALL THAT WE NEED Read in John s Gospel the account of the Loaves and Fishes considering these points: Jesus is concerned for the physical needs of the people This miracle prefigures the SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST Read in Matthew s Gospel the account of Jesus Walking on the Water considering these points: Jesus asks His apostles to have Faith and not be afraid We need to pray for the grace to believe in Him and to trust in His love to protect us OPENING PRAYER: OUR FATHER

3 JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 14 Page 3 REVIEW TERMS COVERED IN LESSON 8-13 THE INCARNATION CONFESSION DIVINITY JESUS CHRIST HOLY ORDERS TRUTH SALVATION ANOINTING OF THE SICK MYSTERY GRACE FAITH MARRIAGE HOPE SIN SACRAMENT CHARITY ORIGINAL SIN PRAYER MORTAL SIN HEAVEN VENIAL SIN HELL CONCUPISCENCE PURGATORY REVIEW: PLEASE CONTINUE TO REVIEW TERMS. WHERE AND WHEN: EARLY SPRING 29 AD SEA OF GALILEE

THE MIRACLE OF THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES [WHERE, WHEN, ETC.]?

4 JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 14 Page 4 READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES JOHN 6:1-15 CATECHISTS PLEASE READ THRU THIS STORY WITH YOUR CLASS WHAT IS THE CONTEXT OF THE MIRACLE OF THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES [WHERE, WHEN, ETC.]? It is the Feast of the Passover in the year 29 AD so it is early spring exactly a year before Jesus Crucifixion and Death. He has been preaching and teaching for just over a year and has spent most of the past year in the territory of Galilee, where His support among the regular people has been steadily growing and is reaching its peak. REVIEW: WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS MIRACLE? It may seem a bit surprising, but this miracle is the only miracle that is described in all four of the Gospels! It is special for Catholics because we also know that this miracle is one way in which Jesus begins to tell us about the great gift of Himself in the Bread of Life. WHO HELPS JESUS IN THIS GREAT MIRACLE? A little boy helps Jesus by giving Him his own food 5 barley loaves [like pita bread] and two small fishes [like sardines]. Jesus is also helped by the Apostles, who help to distribute the bread and fish to the crowds. WHAT DOES JESUS DO WITH THE BREAD AND THE FISHES? John s Gospel does not give us these words, but Matthew in his Gospel does [Jesus] ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples [MT 14:19]. WHERE DO WE SEE THESE ACTIONS OF JESUS EVERY WEEK? Visual Bible Alive The Priest at Mass, who by the power of the Holy Spirit makes Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist performs the same actions as Christ; he takes bread [which we bring forward, in the offertory procession like the little boy], blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to us. HOLY EUCHARIST THE SACRAMENT GIVEN TO US BY JESUS AT THE LAST SUPPER AND AT MASS IN HOLY COMMUNION THE BREAD OF LIFE IS REALLY AND TRULY JESUS BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY WHAT HAPPENED WHEN JESUS BEGAN BREAKING THE BREAD AND FISH? Jesus keeps breaking the bread again and again, piece after piece. Instead of getting smaller and smaller, the pita breads and little fish stayed the same size for a long time, even though Jesus kept breaking pieces off of them. This is called multiplication. Jesus broke hundreds and thousands and tens-of-thousands of pieces off of the 5 loaves and two fish so that a huge amount of food was produced and put into the baskets.

Page 5 MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES WHAT DOES JESUS HAVE THE APOSTLES DO? Jesus has the Apostles hand out the broken pieces of bread and fish to the 5,000 men [+ women and children perhaps 15 20,000 people].

Even though there were more than 10,000 people, Jesus produced so much food that there was a lot left over enough to fill 12 baskets.

5 Page 5 MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES WHAT DOES JESUS HAVE THE APOSTLES DO? Jesus has the Apostles hand out the broken pieces of bread and fish to the 5,000 men [+ women and children perhaps 15 20,000 people]. This might be Jesus way of preparing the Apostles for their role as priests who will be giving out the Bread of Life for the rest of their lives. WHAT ABOUT THE LEFT-OVERS? Even though there were more than 10,000 people, Jesus produced so much food that there was a lot left over enough to fill 12 baskets. The number 12 usually symbolizes the people of Israel [the 12 tribes]. This may symbolize Jesus telling us that He can satisfy the appetite of all Israel, and have enough left over to feed all the world. WHAT DOES THE CROWD TRY TO DO WITH JESUS AT THE END OF THIS MIRACLE? WHY? Jesus popularity in Galilee is reaching its peak. A large number of people think that He is the Messiah. Jesus feeding them with bread in a deserted region reminds them of Moses [who also fed the Israelites with mannabread in the desert]. They are becoming a mob and since most of them had the wrong idea of what the Messiah would be [they expected a great soldier-king who would lead an army and destroy the power of Rome] they tried to carry Jesus off and to make Him a king. HOW DOES JESUS REACT TO THE CROWD? WHY? Jesus runs away from the mob and heads off to the mountains alone to pray. His Kingdom is not a matter of politics and golden crowns and armies the Kingdom He came to establish is the Church, through which He rules over the minds and hearts of men, leading them to holiness...and heaven. Altar Floor Church of the Multiplication Tabgha, Israel READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: JESUS WALKS ON WATER MATTHEW 14:22-33 CATECHISTS PLEASE READ THRU THIS STORY WITH YOUR CLASS WHAT IS JESUS DOING AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS STORY? He is praying alone on the mountain by the sea. WHERE ARE THE APOSTLES? They are in their boat, a few miles offshore, trying to sail across the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee towards Capharnum. It is a rough night on the water and the wind and waves are against them. WHAT SHORT-CUT DOES JESUS USE TO CATCH UP WITH THE APOSTLES? Jesus walks right out to them on the surface of the water. This is an example of a Nature Miracle [like when Jesus calmed the storm]. It may also have reminded the Apostles of Psalm 77 which praises YAHWEH Through the sea was your way, and your path through the deep waters, though Your footsteps were unseen. Visual Bible Alive

6 Page 6 MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES HOW DO THEY REACT TO HIM? Jesus must have been a very strange sight. It was the latest part of the night, after 3:00 am, and there was probably a full moon [since it was Passover]. The seas were heaving and waves were rolling and here comes a pale figure rising and falling with the waves coming towards them. Obviously they did not recognize that it was Jesus. They began to cry out in fear. WHAT DOES JESUS SAY TO THEM AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN? TAKE COURAGE. I AM. DO NOT BE AFRAID Jesus reassures them, and speaks the words He so frequently speaks throughout the Gospels. DO NOT BE AFRAID. Even though our Bibles have Him saying, IT IS I, the real words He says mean I AM which is one of God s Names. This might have confused and scared them even more but it strengthened the faith of one of the Apostles. WHICH OF THE APOSTLES IS THE BRAVEST AND WHAT HAPPENS TO HIM? Peter seems to have understood something of what Jesus said, and his faith grows strong enough for him to ask Jesus to work the same miracle for him so he can walk on the water towards Jesus. And it works for a short time. WHY DOES PETER BEGIN TO SINK? Peter s FAITH: THE VIRTUE WHICH GIVES US THE ABILITY TO BELIEVE IN GOD AND IN THE MYSTERIES WHICH HE HAS REVEALED in Our Lord is not yet strong enough. He also lacks HOPE: THE VIRTUE WHICH GIVES US THE ABILITY TO TRUST COMPLETELY IN GOD. He begins to think about the wind and to feel the waves and probably wonders how deep and dark the waters are beneath him. Even though he is already walking on the water towards Jesus, he begins to doubt and starts to sink like a rock! WHAT DOES JESUS SAY TO HIM? Jesus catches Peter and says, O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH. WHY DID YOU DOUBT? WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE? Sometimes Jesus calls us to follow him in extraordinary ways. We need to pray for the grace to believe in Him and to trust in Him and he ll help us to do whatever He wants no matter how difficult. Jesus Walks on Water Julius Schnorr Von Carolsfeld

THE BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE

THE BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE HEART OF CATECHESIS WHOEVER EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD HAS ETERNAL LIFE, AND I WILL RAISE HIM ON THE LAST DAY. John 6:54 JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson