Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/575

 which they  were  going. When they  had  landed,  the  people brought the  sick  to  Him,  and  He  healed  them,  and  all  those  who touched His  garments  were  made  whole.

Our Lord’s  Omnipotence.  St.  Augustine  writes  thus  about  the  miracle of the  loaves  and  fishes:  “Jesus  multiplied  the  bread  in  His  Hands  by virtue  of  the  same  power  wherewith  God  multiplies  a few  grains  of corn  into  a waving  cornfield. The five  loaves  were  like  unto  those grains of  corn  which,  when  sown,  do  not  lie  unfruitful  in  the  ground, but to  which  increase  is  immediately  given  by  Him  who  is  the  creator of the  world."  Thus  the  miraculous  multiplication  of  the  loaves  showed forth  the  creative  Omnipotence  of  our  Lord,  proving  Him  to  be  the Almighty  God  who  every  year  multiplies  the  grains  of  corn  which  are sown  in  the  earth.

Figure of  the  Holy  Eucharist.  The  great  miracle  of  the  loaves  and fishes is  one  of  the  most  striking  figures  of  the  Blessed  Eucharist,  in which  the  Saviour  of  the  world  nourishes  the  souls  of  countless  millions of His  faithful  people.

The object  of  the  miracle  of  the  loaves.  Besides  the  common  object of  all  our  Lord’s  miracles,  viz. the increase  of  men’s  faith  in  Him, this miracle  had  one  special  object,  viz. to foreshadow,  and  to  prepare men’s hearts  for  the  marvellous  Food  which  He  gives  us  in  the  most holy Sacrament  of  the  altar — the  gift  which  He  promised  on  the following day. Our Lord  in  the  Holy  Eucharist  feeds  the  souls  of  the faithful with  the  most  precious  bread  from  heaven,  multiplying  His  own Body, and  distributing  It  by  the  hands  of  His  priests. And with  this heavenly Food  all  are  satisfied,  for  it  appeases  our  spiritual  hunger  by uniting  us  to  our  Lord  Jesus,  the  author  of  all  grace.

The Goodness  of  Jesus.  He  had  compassion  on  the  people,  teaching them and  healing  their  sick. He fed  the  multitude  which  followed  Him with food  both  for  their  bodies  and  their  souls; and  because  they  were so eager  to  hear  His  word  that  they  forgot  to  supply  themselves  with food, He  supplied  them  with  it  by  a wonderful  miracle. “Seek first  the