＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 25:6-10a

 On this mountain Yahweh Sa­ba­­oth will prepare for

All peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, meat full of marrow, fine wine strained.  On this mountain he will destroy the pall cast over all peoples, this very shroud spread over all na­tions, and death will be no more.

The Lord Yahweh will wipe away the tears from all cheeks and eyes; he will take away the humiliation of his people all over the world: for Yahweh has spoken.  On that day you will say: This is our God. We have waited for him to save us, let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. For on this mountain the hand of Yahweh rests.

 

Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

I shall live in the House of the Lord all the days of my life.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 15:29-37

From there Jesus went to the shore of Lake Galilee, and then went up into the hills where he sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the dumb, the blind, the lame, the crippled, and many with other infirmities.

The people carried them to the feet of Jesus, and he healed them. All were astonished when they saw the dumb speaking, the lame walking, the crippled healed and the blind able to see; so they glorified the God of Israel.

 Jesus called his disciples and said to them, “I am filled with compassion for these people; they have already followed me for three days and now have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away fasting, or they may faint on the way.” His disciples said to him,

“And where shall we find enough bread in this wilderness to feed such a crowd?”  Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They answered, “Seven, and a few small fish.”  So Jesus ordered the people to sit on the ground.

 Then he took the seven loaves and the small fish and gave thanks to God. He broke them and gave them to his disciples, who distributed them to the peo­ple. They all ate and were satisfied, and the leftover broken pieces filled seven wicker baskets.

 

Gospel Reflection：

This Christmas month is a time of feasting. Ahh, lots and lots of delicacies! (Hey, watch your diet!) That is why children love Christmas, too, because this is the month when they can indulge on “good food.” Ham and cheese, chocolate and nuts. Oh a cornucopia of goodies can be in the grocery list of mother!

But lest we miss the true “Good” of Christmas, Isaiah tells us that “Yahweh Sabaoth will prepare for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, meat full of marrow, fine wine!”

Yes, indeed, Christmas will be a time to relish and savor THE GOOD FOOD,”namely, JESUS! In today’s Gospel, we hear of the miracle of the multiplication of bread!

Jesus gives food for the hungry four thousand! When we relate this miracle to the Gospel of John chapter 6, we realize that Jesus is the true food, the true “Bread from heaven” that truly satisfies!

Even if one feasts on “good Christmas delicacies” but one has failed to feed on the “Body and Blood” of Christ in Holy Mass, one would have missed the true banquet!