Ahead of the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Alexia Baker sits down with Fr. Mike Mahoney to unpack Matthew's account of Jesus multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed a crowd of thousands. Fr. Mike explains why the miracle is ultimately about satisfaction — the human search for fulfillment in family, work, and food, and why only Christ can truly satisfy that longing. This reflection gives listeners a preview of Sunday's Gospel and a starting point for prayer before Mass.
This Week's Gospel Matthew 14:13-21 (Cycle A) — the multiplication of the loaves and fish, proclaimed for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 2, 2026. Read the full Sunday readings from the USCCB: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080226.cfm
Fr. Mike's Reflection Fr. Mike Mahoney walks through the Gospel scene: Jesus withdraws after hearing of John the Baptist's death, but the crowds follow him anyway, and rather than sending them away hungry, he multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed them all — with twelve baskets left over. Fr. Mike reflects on that word "satisfied": how we often look to family, work, or food to fill us, but true and lasting satisfaction is only found in Christ. He also touches on the twelve baskets of leftovers as a sign of the new covenant and the Church as the new Israel.
A Closing Blessing Fr. Mike closes the conversation with a blessing for listeners heading into the weekend.
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