This is the second account of Jesus feeding a large number of people. Earlier He had fed 5,000 (not counting women and children) with five loaves and two fish. Today it is 4,000 and there are seven loaves - seven being a figure of wholeness and completeness. The message in both is the same. Jesus is filled with compassion at the sight of so many people in danger of collapse from hunger. It is not just a physical hunger; even more, it is a realisation of their spiritual hunger, their hunger for guidance in the meaning of life. Taking just seven loaves of bread and blessing them in a ritual evocative of the Eucharist, Jesus then hands the loaves to His disciples to distribute them among the crowd. In the end, there are seven basketfuls of leftovers. We are being reminded of God's providential care for his children with more than enough for all. But there is also the reminder that the feeding depends on Jesus' followers. It is not enough for me to eat my fill at the Lord's table. I must also be aware of my responsibility to feed - both physically and spiritually - my brothers and sisters, especially those most in need.