His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel addressed the believers on Sunday after the Divine Liturgy held at the historic Chapel of Saint George at the Patriarchal Residence. He reflected on the miracle of the multiplication of the five loaves and two fish, emphasizing that “this miracle was performed out of the merciful and generous love of Christ.”
Patriarch Daniel explained that Christ did not perform this miracle to impress or intimidate the crowds. Instead, the miracle was discreet and not immediately visible; it was only noticed through the twelve baskets of leftover fragments.
“In other words, no one saw mountains of bread or hills of fish,” Patriarch Daniel remarked.
His Beatitude elaborated on how Christ prioritizes the needs of those who come to Him, first offering spiritual nourishment, then healing, and finally food for the body.
“In today’s Gospel, we see that the Savior Jesus Christ demonstrates a priority in His actions, to which those who come to listen to Him or seek healing are called to participate,” said Patriarch Daniel.
“He speaks to the crowds, feeding them spiritually by preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, the Gospel of merciful love and eternal life. After speaking to the gathered crowds until evening, He commanded them to bring their sick to Him and healed them.”
A Lesson in Humility and Discretion
Patriarch Daniel explained that the Saviour shared His teaching about accumulating material goods through this miracle.
“He did not desire a spectacle; the multiplication was done very discreetly and efficiently. Why didn’t Jesus multiply the loaves in a visible, material, and impressive form?” Patriarch Daniel asked rhetorically.
“So that we do not think it necessary to ask God to accumulate as many material riches as possible, in barns, banks, and all kinds of long-term food storage, as a false hope for solving the problem of food.”
“His miracle was not performed to encourage the accumulation of enormous quantities of food as a false sense of material security for an endlessly extended future, but with great humility and discretion.”
Patriarch Daniel continued by saying that through this miracle, “we learn that we must ask for God’s blessing on all the gifts we bring to the Church or society and effectively offer these gifts to those who are hungry.”
He concluded by explaining that the Church has understood this teaching, reinforcing the importance of humility and the proper use of resources.
Photo: Lumina Newspaper
Follow us on X.com: @BasilicaNews
