Jesus Feeds 5,000 at an Oasis

Laetare Sunday is  the Oasis in Lent, just like the place where Jesus fed 5,000, for there was much grass in the place. And it is helpful to recall how Jesus resisted the devil's temptation to make bread in the wilderness, for it was so that he might feed bread to the multitudes; so also, he resisted the devil's temptation to cast himself down to  receive  the glory of being the Son of God, for it was so that he might give unto his people  the glory of a miraculous feeding; and again, he resisted the temptation to have all the kingdoms of the world and  their glory, for it was so that he might by his own passion and resurrection gain all authority in heaven and on earth, and give heavenly glory to his people. And we note that it was no accident that he led  them to this place where there was no way to buy bread; it was so that he might show himself as the giver of miraculous, heavenly bread, and ultimately to point them to himself who is the Bread of Life. The ultimate oasis for all of our life's fasting and tribulation is the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, for here we learn above all that we need not bread alone, but this Bread to which is added the word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Sermon for Laetare.