Since the Gospel today is about the multiplication of the loaves and fish, which is symbolic of the Eucharist, today we are reminded to treat Jesus in the Eucharist with great respect.

In the Gospel, Jesus uses a young boy, who has five barley loaves and two fish to feed

5,000 men, not counting women and children. A very large crowd followed Jesus to hear what

He had to say. But a problem came up. The people became hungry and had no food to eat.

Our Lord asked St. Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” St. Philip replied, “two hundred days wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.”

The apostles became worried, because they did not know how they were going to be able to feed over 5,000 people. St. Andrew saw a young boy standing near by--- who had five loaves of bread and 2 fish and he said to Jesus, “what good are these for so many”.

Jesus wanted to work a miracle, and so He told the apostles to have the people sit down on the grass. He then took the loaves of bread, gave thanks, and began to give the bread and the fish to those who were sitting down.

Everyone was greatly surprised--- because the entire crowd was able to get enough bread and fish, which had come from the young boy. How could 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, which came from one young boy, feed 5,000 people? The answer was simple. Jesus worked a miracle, so that each person would have enough food to eat. The multiplication of the loaves is symbolic of the Eucharist. Today, there are over 700 boys, girls, teachers, and parishioners, who will receive Jesus in Holy Communion. But how can each person receive Jesus? Isn’t there only one Jesus?

Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish to feed 5,000 men, not counting women, and children, today, Jesus will feed each of us with His body in Holy Communion.

Boys and girls, I ask that you pay attention and listen closely to what I say. The

Eucharist is not bread. The Eucharist is Jesus. On the altar, when the priest says, “This is my body, which will be given up for you”, the bread will change totally and completely into Jesus, and each and every one who comes to receive Holy Communion will receive Jesus.

Since, we believe the host we receive in Holy Communion is really Jesus, we should respect the host even greater than we respect our parents, our teachers, priests, and anyone.

We should not treat the host as though it was a pet, or a toy, or just bread.

We should treat the host as God, because the host is God. The host is really Jesus, who is God, and should be worshipped to the highest degree possible.

Boys and girls, again, please listen to what I am about to say. Sometimes, when we receive Holy Communion, we forget what we are doing, and we get in a hurry. We walk away without putting the host in our mouth right away. But this is not the most respectful way to treat Jesus. The host should immediately be put in our mouth before we walk away. All of us are human, and sometimes, we become forgetful, and so we need to be reminded. Those who receive Communion on the tongue really treat the host with much greater respect than those who receive in the hand. It takes a humble person, to stick out the tongue.

They don’t care what others think. They don’t want to lose the smallest of fragments on the ground, because they know and believe each fragment is still Jesus, no matter how small. They truly want to show Jesus they love and respect Him. The greater the respect shown—the greater the love that is shown.

Boys and girls, when we return to our pews, we should kneel down, and pray to Jesus who is inside us. We should tell Jesus we love Him, and thank Him for being so good to us.

We should ask Jesus to help us, and other people, who need help.

Today, everyone should pay close attention on the 2nd graders, who receive Holy

Communion. They know and they believe, because they love and respect, the true presence of

Jesus in the Eucharist. Watch how loving and respectful-- they receive Jesus in Holy

Communion. Watch their innocent faces—as they receive Jesus with great joy!

Just as Jesus, used one young boy, as an example, to provide 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed

5,000, perhaps today, here at St. Francis, one young boy, or one young girl, or maybe even all the 2nd graders--- will give good example--- for all 700 children and adults, as they come forward--- to receive Jesus in Holy Communion with the greatest respect and love--- for us to imitate.