The gospel text for this week, Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand, is told in such a way by Matthew that it both recalls Israel’s past and anticipates many faith practices of Christians.

The location of this miracle, in a “deserted place,” an “eremos,” harkens images of Israel’s own wanderings through the deserted wilderness, cut off from civilization, and dependent upon God’s protections and care for all their basic needs. As today’s text unfolds, it also echoes the miraculous feeding accomplished by Elisha in 2 Kings 4:42-44 -although Jesus feeds over five thousand, vastly overshadowing the earlier prophet’s one hundred hungry soldiers.

The future event anticipated by this miracle is, of course, the practice of the Eucharist. Matthew repeats the blessing actions and words uttered by Jesus…