Make the men sit down. now there was much grass in the place. the men therefore sat down, in number about five thousand. and jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to them that were sat down: in like manner also of the fishes as much as they would. and when they were filled, he said to his disciples: gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost. they gathered up there fore, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten. now those men, .when they had seen what a miracle jesus had done, said: this is of a truth the prophet that is to come into the world. jesus therefore, when he knew that they would come to take him by force and make him king, fled again into the mountain himself alone.
Why did christ thus try st. philip?
1. To try his faith and confidence. 2. To teach us to make use of natural and ordinary means before we have recourse to the supernatural. 3. so that the miracle would be the more striking to the people, when they were satisfied that the provisions they had were quite small and insufficient. 4. that we might have confidence in god, who is a helper in time of tribulation (ps. ix. 10).
What ceremonies did our saviour use at this miracle, and why?
He first looked up to heaven, to remind us that every good gift comes from above, and that it is god only who opens his hand, and fills all with benediction. 2. he thanked his heavenly father, to show us that we also should be careful to thank god for all his benefits. the table says st. chrysostom, which begins and ends with prayer shall never know want. 3. he blessed the bread that we might learn that it is the blessing of god which gives success.
Why did jesus flee after this miracle?
1. to teach us to seek not the admiration and applause of men, but only the glory of god and the good of our neighbor. 2. to love solitude; that, far from the noise of the world, we may with more freedom converse with God.
