Bishop Robert Barron notes that many modern theologians and scripture commentators downplay this story’s miraculous nature as a “spiritual symbol” or “a miracle of charity.” He says, “I think it’s hard to deny that the first Christians were intensely interested in the miracles of Jesus and that they didn’t see them as mere literary symbols. They saw them for what they really were, actions of God, breaking into our world.” This miracle shows how Christ rewards people who persevere in following him. The crowd had been hanging on his words, forgetful of everything else. We should be like them, attentive and ready to do what he commands, without any vain concern about the future, for that would amount to distrusting divine providence.