Matthew 15:29-37

Isaiah 25:6-10a

Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Matthew 15:29-37

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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for inviting me to the banquet of the Eucharist. It is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that I long for and hope to enjoy one day. Wipe away my tears, vanquish evil, destroy death, and console me as I walk toward you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Divine Banquet that Confers Immortality: Today’s readings are connected by a similar message: the Lord will wipe away our tears, he will lead us beside restful waters, he will heal those who are sick, and he will provide food for those who are hungry. It is the Lord who will act on our behalf: he will provide a feast for all peoples; he will destroy death forever; he will wipe away our tears; he will remove our reproach (our infidelity); and he will save us. The passage from Isaiah 25 contains a prophecy about the end-times banquet that God will provide not just for Israel and Judah but for all peoples. When God provides, he provides the best! Isaiah speaks of excellent (fatty) meat and choice wine! The food that God provides, though, gives those who partake of it a share in eternal life and God’s beatitude. The food that God will provide confers immortality.

2. The Thank Offering: The Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 23, speaks about God’s actions towards us: he refreshes us; he guides us; he gives us courage; he spreads a table before us; and he anoints us. The psalm invites us to trust in the Lord, our divine Shepherd and banquet Host. His blessings include peace, refreshment, comfort, and guidance (see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Psalms, 35). When Psalm 23 speaks of God spreading a table before us, this is likely a reference to “thank offering,” which was a type of peace offering described in Leviticus 7:12-15. The thank (todah) offering became a prominent part of Israelite spirituality and liturgical worship with the rise of David. It was a sacrifice offered by a person whose life had been delivered from a great danger. The person who had been delivered would express their gratitude to God by celebrating a sacrificial meal with family and friends. A priest would sacrifice a lamb and consecrate bread in the Temple. The meat and bread would then be brought home for a meal, along with wine. The meal included songs of thanksgiving and the person recounting how they had been saved from suffering or mortal danger. 

3. Jesus, the Good Shepherd: These actions of God toward us mentioned in Psalm 23 are fully manifested in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. On the one hand, he cures the lame, the blind, the deformed, and the mute. Jesus comes in the flesh to cure us and redeem us. On the other hand, he feeds the crowds with heavenly bread. He does not send them away hungry. This Gospel passage reflects the effect of grace in us: not only does it purify us of our sin, but it also elevates us to share in divine life. As we contemplate what God has done for us in and through Jesus, we are filled with gratitude for God’s care and action in our lives. The liturgical season of Advent especially heightens our awareness of God’s love, and today, we praise the great things he has done for us.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd of my soul, bring me to restful waters, protect me from the evil one, and bring me into the safety of your gates. Tend to my wounds when I sin through stubbornness and folly. Nourish me with the food that confers the gift of eternal life.

Living the Word of God: What do I need to give thanks to God for this past year? How has God saved me in recent months? Have I been oblivious to God’s action in my life? How can I be more attentive to the work of God in my life and in the lives of those I love and care for?