Gospel (Matthew ХIV:14-22)

14

¹⁴ When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

¹⁵ When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves."

¹⁶ But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!"

¹⁷ They said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."

¹⁸ And He said, "Bring them here to Me."

¹⁹ Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds,

²⁰ and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets.

²¹ There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

²² Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.