Sermon LXXX. [CXXX. Ben.] On the words of the Gospel, John vi. 9, where the miracle of the five loaves and the two fishes is related. 1. It was a great miracle that was wrought, dearly beloved, for five thousand men to be filled with five loaves and two fishes, and the remnants of the fragments to fill twelve baskets. A great miracle: but we shall not wonder much at what was done, if we give heed to Him That did it. He multiplied the five loaves in the hands of them that brake them, who multi- plieth the seeds that grow in the earth, so as that a few grains are sown, and whole barns are filled. But, because he doth this every year, no one marvels. Not the inconsiderableness3890 of what is done, but its constancy takes away admiration of it. But when the Lord did these 499 things, He spake to them that had understanding, not by words only, but even by the miracles themselves. The five loaves signified the five books of Moses’ Law. The old Law is barley compared to the Gospel wheat. In those books are great mysteries concerning Christ con- tained. Whence He saith Himself, “If ye had believed Moses, ye would believe Me also; for he wrote of Me.”3891 But as in barley the marrow is hid under the chaff, so in the veil of the mysteries of the Law is Christ hidden. As those mysteries of the Law are developed and unfolded; so too those loaves increased when they were broken. And in this that I have ex- plained to you, I have broken bread unto you. The five thousand men signify the people ordered under the five books of the Law. The twelve baskets are the twelve Apostles, who themselves too were filled with the fragments of the Law. The two fishes are either the two precepts of the love of God and our neighbour, or the two people of the circumcision and uncircumcision, or those two sacred personages of the king and the priest. As these things are explained, they are broken; when they are understood, they are eaten. 2. Let us turn to Him who did these things. He is Himself “The Bread which came down from heaven;”3892 but Bread which refresheth the failing, and doth not fail; Bread which can be tasted,3893 cannot be wasted. This Bread did the manna also figure. Wherefore it is said, “He gave them the Bread of heaven, man ate Angels’ Bread.”3894 Who is the Bread of heaven, but Christ? But in order that man might eat Angels’ Bread, the Lord of Angels was made Man. For if He had not been made Man, we should not have His Flesh; if we had not His Flesh, we should not eat the Bread of the Altar. Let us hasten to the inheritance, seeing we have hereby received a great earnest of it. My brethren, let us long for the life of Christ, 3890 Vilitas. 3891 John v. 46. 3892 John vi. 41. 3893 Qui sumi potest, consumi non potest. 3894 Ps. lxxvii. 24, 25, Sept. (lxxviii. English version). On the words of the Gospel, John vi. 9, where the miracle of the five loaves and the two fishes is related. 1033 On the words of the Gospel, John vi. 9, where the miracle of the five loaves…