Loaves and Fishes

Loaves and Fishes Challenge

Materials Needed:

• Five saltine crackers per person
• Two Swedish fish per person

Instructions:

1. Give each youth five saltine crackers and two Swedish fish.
2. Explain that they have to eat all the crackers and fish.
3. No sips of water are allowed during the challenge.
4. The first person to finish wins.

Follow up with a couple of questions:

• What do you think our focus is today? Encourage answers that might touch on themes of food, eating, or a Bible story involving bread and fish.
• What gave it away? Prompt them to think about the connection between the crackers and fish to the story of Jesus feeding the multitude.

This activity not only serves as an icebreaker but also sets the stage for deeper reflection and discussion about the miracle of the loaves and fishes and its significance in Catholic teaching, especially regarding the Eucharist.

As you might have guessed, we are talking about the feeding of the multitude today, especially as it relates to the Eucharist.

Let’s read the gospel of the day:

John 6:1-15 (Jesus feeds the multitude with five loaves and two fish) – the Gospel Reading for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.

Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.”

One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people recline.”

Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”

So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

John 6:1-15

So there is a huge crowd and they are far from any town where people might get food for themselves. But the people so want to hear what Jesus has to say. They are hanging on every word.

• Have you ever been so engaged in something that you forgot to eat?

But there is an young boy who has five loaves and two fish.

• Why do you think he brought the food?
• Do you think he planning to sell it and make a little profit?
• Was it the food his family brought? If so, what would his family say when he gave it away in an act of generosity?

The truth is, we don’t know much about this young boy with a few meager supplies. But what we do know is that Jesus took what little he had to offer and fed a whole lot of people.

That is what Jesus does every time he gives Himself to us in the Eucharist at Mass. We offer Him a little bread and wine. Maybe we even offer Him our voice in prayer or song. Hopefully we offer Him a little of our attention.

In return, Jesus gathers us around His table. He unites Himself completely with us by feeding us His own body and blood. He gives us unity with each other also. He also feeds us with his word, and equips us to go out into the world and bring others to Him.

• What do you offer at Mass? Might it be possible to offer more of yourself?
• What do you receive in return? How does our Lord feed you?

The feeding of the multitude is a mystery. We don’t have all of the details. We don’t know anything about the little boy who provided the loaves and fishes. And while we know that Jesus performed a miracle, we don’t know what that miracle looked like. Did the baskets refill themselves? Did something else happen?

In the same way, the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is a mystery. When the host is presented to us at Mass, and the minister says “The body of Christ”, we must look with the eyes of faith. The same is true when we go to adoration. We kneel before the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance. Without faith, this would seem strange. But if we can take Jesus at His word, when at the last supper He says “This is my body”, then it is natural. Consider what Pope Benedict has said:

In the Eucharist, the Son of God comes to meet us and desires to become one with us; eucharistic adoration is simply the natural consequence of the eucharistic celebration, which is itself the Church’s supreme act of adoration.

Pope Benedict XVI

If possible, have someone you trust give a personal testimony of their experience of the Eucharist and how it has changed them.

Following the large group discussion, small groups encourage personal reflection and sharing, helping youth to connect the lesson with their own experiences and deepen their understanding and faith.

• Can you share a time when you gave something small and it made a big difference? How did it make you feel?
• How does this relate to the boy offering his loaves and fish to Jesus?
• What are some areas in your life where you need to trust Jesus more?
• How can you practice trusting Jesus with the little you have, just like the boy in the story?
• What do you think it means when we say Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist?
• How does the miracle of the loaves and fishes help you understand the Eucharist better?
• What do you usually think about during Mass? How can you focus more on the Eucharist?
• How can you prepare your heart better to receive Jesus in the Eucharist?

As we wrap up this lesson, let’s think about how we approach the Eucharist at Mass. Just as we don’t fully understand what happened during the miracle of the loaves and fishes, we also don’t fully understand why Jesus chose to provide for us through the Eucharist. But our faith tells us that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.

When you are at Mass this week, try to approach the Eucharist through the eyes of faith. Instead of focusing on understanding everything with your mind, spend some time absorbing His love with your heart. Jesus is there, offering Himself to you in a very real and personal way.

Take a moment during Mass to reflect on what we have learned. Think about the miracle of the loaves and fishes and how Jesus used a small offering to feed many. Remember that Jesus continues to feed us with His own body and blood in the Eucharist. Let this truth fill you with awe and gratitude. Trust in His presence and let His love nourish your soul.

If possible, end the lesson by spending some time in adoration or praying before the tabernacle. This is a special way to conclude our lesson on the Eucharist and the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

If you have access to a chapel with Eucharistic Adoration, take the group there. Explain that Adoration is a time to be in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Encourage everyone to sit quietly and open their hearts to Jesus. You can guide them with these simple steps:

If Adoration is not available, gather the group in front of the tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament is kept. Explain that Jesus is present in the tabernacle and we can pray to Him there. Lead them through these steps:

End with a short time of silent prayer, inviting everyone to listen to Jesus in their hearts. Conclude with the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Encourage the youth to continue reflecting on what they learned and to approach the Eucharist with faith and love in the future.

This time of prayer helps reinforce the lesson and provides a meaningful way to connect with Jesus. It allows the youth to experience His presence and love in a personal and powerful way.

Themes for the Loaves and Fishes Eucharist Lesson Plan

• Generosity and Sharing: Jesus used the boy’s offering to feed many. The Eucharist lesson plan teaches the importance of giving what we have. It shows how our small gifts can be multiplied by God.
• Faith in Jesus: Jesus knew what He would do with the loaves and fishes. The Eucharist lesson plan helps youth trust in Jesus. It encourages believing in His power to provide.
• Miracles of Jesus: The feeding of the multitude is a miracle. The Eucharist lesson plan explains how Jesus works wonders. It helps youth see miracles in everyday life.
• Jesus’ Compassion: Jesus saw the crowd and wanted to feed them. The Eucharist lesson plan highlights His care for others. It teaches us to be compassionate like Jesus.
• Eucharist as Nourishment: Jesus fed the people with bread and fish. The Eucharist lesson plan shows how He feeds us spiritually. It connects the miracle to receiving His body and blood.
• Gratitude and Thanksgiving: Jesus gave thanks before distributing the food. The Eucharist lesson plan emphasizes being thankful. It encourages gratitude in all circumstances.
• Community and Unity: Jesus gathered the people together to eat. The Eucharist lesson plan fosters a sense of community. It highlights how the Eucharist unites us.
• God’s Abundance: Jesus provided more than enough food. The Eucharist lesson plan shows God’s generosity. It teaches that God gives us abundantly.
• Call to Serve: Jesus involved His disciples in distributing the food. The Eucharist lesson plan encourages service to others. It inspires youth to help and serve in their community.
• Real Presence of Jesus: Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. The Eucharist lesson plan deepens understanding of this mystery. It strengthens faith in His real presence.

Background Material for the Loaves and Fishes Eucharist Lesson Plan

The story of Jesus feeding the multitude with five loaves and two fish is found in John 6:1-15. This miracle is significant in Catholic teaching because it shows Jesus’ power and compassion. It also foreshadows the Eucharist, where Jesus gives Himself to us as spiritual food.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus sees a large crowd following Him. They are drawn by the signs and miracles He performs. Jesus cares about their physical and spiritual needs. He asks Philip where they can buy food for the people. Philip responds that even 200 days’ wages would not be enough. Andrew points out a boy with five barley loaves and two fish, but he doubts it will be enough.

Jesus takes the loaves and fish, gives thanks, and distributes them. Everyone eats and is satisfied. The disciples gather twelve baskets of leftovers. This miracle shows that Jesus has compassion for us and can provide abundantly for all our needs.

The miracle of the loaves and fishes prefigures the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, Jesus gives Himself to us as the bread of life. The multiplication of the loaves is a sign of the greater gift of the Eucharist. Jesus provides not just physical food, but His own body and blood for our spiritual nourishment. The CCC explains, “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). It is the greatest gift Jesus gives us, and it sustains us in our faith.

This miracle also teaches us about trust and faith in Jesus. The boy’s small offering seems insignificant, but Jesus uses it to perform a great miracle. This shows that we should trust Jesus with what we have, no matter how small it seems. He can use our gifts to do great things. The CCC says, “Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us” (CCC 1814). We are called to trust in Jesus and His power to provide for us.

Third, the story highlights the importance of the community. Jesus gathers the people together and feeds them as a group. The Eucharist also brings us together as a community of believers. We come to Mass to be united with Jesus and with each other. The CCC states, “The Eucharist commits us to the poor” (CCC 1397). As we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we are called to care for others and build a strong community.

In summary, the story of the loaves and fishes is rich in meaning for Catholics. It shows Jesus’ compassion, foreshadows the Eucharist, teaches us about trust, and emphasizes the importance of community. By reflecting on this miracle in this Loaves and Fishes Eucharist Lesson Plan, we can deepen our understanding of the Eucharist and grow in our faith. This story encourages us to trust in Jesus, offer what we have, and care for others as part of a loving community.

Music Suggestions for the Loaves and Fishes Eucharist Lesson Plan

• Miracle of Grace (Bread of Life)
• Five Loaves and Two Fishes
• Adoration
• I Shall Not Want
• In the Breaking of the Bread 

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Teachers, youth ministers, and catechists can find helpful resources like the Loaves and Fishes Eucharist lesson plan to engage and inspire youth in their faith. These materials are easy to use and designed to deepen understanding of the Eucharist and Jesus’ miracles. Check out the link for more details: Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections.