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Mud and spit are sacramental?

The use of matter to convey grace is sacramental. Contrast with a "faith alone" approach or a gnostic approach whereby the created world is evil. The sacramental economy demonstrates that the created world is a tool for God to use to repair the damage froim the Fall.

And I highly doubt that was why this was specifically mentioned, especially since there were much stronger foreshadowing available (e.g., miracle of the loaves and fishes).

Every Word from God can be used to His Glory. The loaves and fishes shows miraculous superabundance, but it only served as a routine meal, not as a conveyance of grace.

"The loaves and fishes shows miraculous superabundance, but it only served as a routine meal, not as a conveyance of grace."

The loaves and fishes certainly showed miraculous superabundance, but also it serves as a proleptic account of the Eucharist especially in John's gospel, where he does not recount the institution narrative.

John 6,11 And Jesus took the loaves: and when he had given thanks (EUCHARISTEIN), he distributed to them that were set down. In like manner also of the fishes, as much as they would.
12 And when they were filled, he said to his disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost. (THIS IS A LITURGICAL INSTRUCTION FROM THE PRIMITIVE RUBRICS OF THE MASS)
13 They gathered up therefore, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten.
14 Now those men, when they had seen what a miracle Jesus had done, said: This is of a truth the prophet, that is to come into the world.

Remember that this miracle and the subsequent account of Jesus walking on the water are followed immediately by the extensive "Bread of Life" discourse, where Jesus teaches the crowd that unless they eat His flesh and drink His blood, they cannot have life within them.