Jesus’ question, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” also echoes the question of Moses, “Where can I get meat to give to all this people (cf. Num. 11:13). As manna was given by God to test the people (cf. Ex 16:4) so does Jesus test Philip; and when all have had their fill, Jesus instructed the disciples to gather the fragments, as Moses taught Israel to gather the manna each day.

The multiplication of the bread follows Jesus’ healing of the sick.  It is important that we first educate the people by telling them how good and merciful God is, before feeding them.  A transformation in the heart of the receiver is very important. It will help him to acknowledge the gift, thank and praise the Giver. At the end he will learn how to treasure the gift.

Some numerical symbols are also present: The 5,000 people could represent the early converts to Christianity who were celebrating the Eucharist to satisfy their spiritual hunger. This Gospel could have a prophetic message regarding the future activities of the Church. The 5 breads represent the sacraments of the living (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage and Priesthood) while the 2 fish represent the sacraments of the dead (Confession and Anointing of the sick).  Thus, by receiving the 7 sacraments we can fully satisfy our spiritual hunger.  The leftovers were placed in the 12 baskets which is a symbol of the 12 apostles.

Christ wanted the 12 apostles to continue feeding the people with the Bread of Life. The Apostles who were the first bishops of the Catholic Church kept the leftover bread and fish (meaning the sacraments) in order to share them with the people until the end of time. True indeed, for more than 2,000 years the Church has kept on sharing the Bread and the rest of the sacraments through the bishops (and the clergy) and they never run out.

When Christ asked to give the people food to eat, Apostle Andrew showed to him 5 loaves and 2 fish.  But even though these were not even enough for his group (12 apostles plus Jesus), Christ still thanks the Father and continues to share whatever they have. This generous act of Christ changed the people’s hearts. It softened their greedy hearts and they began to open their bags and to share the bread that they kept only for themselves. The bread that Christ used to feed the 5,000 might be a sum total of all the small contributions of all the people taken together. As a result there was more than enough food for all. The real miracle was not only the feeding of the 5000 with bread and fish but the “change of heart” of the people.  Before they were “thinking only about themselves” but after hearing Jesus they became concerned with others needs. If only people of the world will learn how to share whatever they have to other poor countries, there will be enough food for all.

The Gospel of John was written around 90 AD. It was the period when the early Christians were already celebrating the Eucharist. It was the Eucharist that gave them courage during persecutions. It was the same Bread that filled up their spiritual hunger in life. Whatever “hunger” we are experiencing today, it is only the “Bread of Life” that could fully satisfy our emptiness deep within.