Recently Pope Francis has said a few things about the miracle of the loaves and the fishes that have concerned a few people.
They’ve thought he might be denying that it was an actual, physical miracle.
What’s more, the press can’t be blamed, because these statements weren’t the subject of media-distorting headlines or news stories.
They’re right there in the pope’s own words—in context!
So what should we make of these?
Here are 11 things to know and share . . .
1) What, precisely, did Pope Francis say?
He has said two things. One was in a Sunday Angelus he gave on June 2, where he stated:
This is the miracle: rather than a multiplication it is a sharing, inspired by faith and prayer. Everyone eats and some is left over: it is the sign of Jesus, the Bread of God for humanity.
This makes it sound like he’s advocating the lame “miracle of sharing” theory, according to which people in the crowd had food hidden on their persons and then shared it with others after Jesus’ disciples began distributing the five loaves and two fish.
This theory downgrades the miracle to a purely natural event.
I’ve written about that before. And not just once.
2) What was the other thing he said?
More recently, in a video appeal released in December to help a hunger relief project, he stated:
The parable of the multiplication of the loaves and fish teaches us exactly this: that if there is the will, what we have never ends. On the contrary, it abounds and does not get wasted.
This makes it sound as if he’s saying that the multiplication of loaves and fishes wasn’t even a natural event. Instead, it sounds like he’s saying it’s a mere parable—a fiction designed to teach a lesson.
3) What should we make of these?
