Jeremiah 28:1-17; Psalm 118(119):29,43,79-80,95,102; Matthew 14:13-21
Picture if you will, a typical Mass in Africa.. the clip is not over long and offers a perspective!
Jesus was with 5000 men and their families, and they were outdoors, and had been travelling for several days. They were hungry, but still wanted to be celebrating with Jesus, who they knew to be their saviour (although, perhaps at this time, not appreciating how that was to be accomplished). Jesus provided for them what they needed, and they must have been very joyful!
At the end, there was enough joy and food to fill twelve baskets - these symbolising the twelve tribes of Israel - so signifying all of God's people. Jesus' generosity would never, ever run out.
The last supper, is the place where Jesus instituted Holy Communion, but these field suppers, with the noise and chaos, singing for joy that likely accompanied them, was where he first shared eucharist (the Classical Greek word for thanksgiving). So let us at least try to feel inside the joy that we should be expressing when we meet for Eucharist each Sunday!