Spiritual Hunger – Reflection on Matthew 15:29-37
Imagine yourself near the Sea of Galilee, one of the below-the-sea-level freshwater lakes on Earth. Jesus stands at the top of a hill so everyone can see him. There is a large procession of those whose faith in Jesus heals them. Having been there three days and despite your physical hunger, you stay. You are mesmerized by Jesus continuing to give from the greatest depths of himself. Then, a personal revelation occurs. While you have consumed a morsel of food that has nourished you physically, you recognize you have spiritual hunger. I was taught not to waste leftover food in solidarity with those hungry. By putting the excess in the refrigerator to consume later, we conserve resources for others. Spiritual hunger is similar to physical hunger and what to do with the excess. Have you thought about the why of the extra baskets in the miracle of loaves and fishes? My view of Scripture is always to consider the spiritual intent. What if what is in the extra baskets is a metaphor for the full basket being available to satisfy your later spiritual hunger? Perhaps an even more awesome message could be Jesus’s personal message to give your excess spirituality to others.
The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Matthew 15:29-37 – Scripture*
Jesus Cures Many People
29 After Jesus had left that place, he passed along the Sea of Galilee, and he went up the mountain, where he sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others. They put them at his feet, and he cured them, 31 so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Feeding the Four Thousand
32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” 33 The disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?” 34 Jesus asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina reflection on Matthew 15:29-37 – Spiritual Hunger.
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Matthew 15 Bible passage.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections of the Gospel readings or other contemplative material to this Web-based ministry? Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.