2 Kings 4: 42-44
Eph 4: 1-6
Jn 6: 1-15
The Word for Sunday: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072615.cfm
If
you ever wonder about the generosity of God just think of today Gospel. The miraculous feeding of more than 5000
hungry people, “as much as they wanted,”
must have been astounding, not to mention all that was left over! So impressive
was this event that each of the four Gospel writers relates, albeit in somewhat
varied way, this miracle.
If
that isn’t enough, think of the wedding feast of Cana (Jn 2: 1-11). Jesus did
not only turn water into a fine vintage of wine but 180 gallons of it and more
than saved the day for the newly married couple. Who said Jesus didn’t know how to have a good
time.
What
about Jesus teaching on forgiveness (Mt 18: 21-22) in which Peter was likely
amazed at his answer that forgiveness has no limits. Or the parable of the lost sheep, the lost
coin, and the Prodigal Son (Lk 15: 1- 32) which emphasizes our value in God’s
eyes and our call to forgive as we have been forgiven over and over and over
again.
There
are multiple other examples that Jesus always responded in a generous,
unexpected way to those who asked him.
The ultimate example of course was the sacrifice of his own life for the
sake of restoring a broken humanity with God and his promise of eternal life
for those who believe. What more could
he possibly have done that would prove God will never be equaled in his giving?
So,
today’s familiar Gospel story about feeding thousands of hungry people is far
more than an amazing tour de force. Did Jesus do this in order to draw
attention to himself and his power? The
crowds may have thought so or at least the potential of what more could be done
by him as king. John states: “Jesus knew
that they were going to come and carry him off to make hi king,” so “he
withdrew again to the mountain alone.” (Jn 6: 15).
This
response of the crowds shows that they didn’t yet know who Jesus was or what he
was or why he came. We do for we live
with the benefit of history so we must look back. But, honestly, how aware are
we really? How deeply do we know the
Lord as the source of all we have and do? The crowds knew was that he was
different, very different. That he could
work wonders and speak with great authority so it’s no surprise they turned out
in droves.
Yet, at the base reaction of the crowds and not just with this
impressive display of power was a sense of awe and they wanted more. They misread Jesus and he wanted them to look
beyond the bread and fish they just ate to see himself as the Bread of Life.
The impoverished crowds, understandably, wanted to make him their king. In doing so he would release the bondage of
Rome and create a nation in which prosperity would reign. For all of that
reason, Jesus ran away from them.
We,
like the desperate crowds, could become all caught up in a discussion over
whether the bread and fish were actually multiplied or whether the crowds were
moved to share with one another from whatever meager provisions they may have
brought individually.
Now, since none of us were there the safer bet is to
assume what the Gospel writers clearly imply – that thousands of people
suddenly had food to eat and Jesus himself was the reason for that.
Still,
the focus is not so much on the bread and fish but on the person of Christ
himself. As the Gospel of John continues
in this sixth chapter we see a deepening of this miraculous event. That Jesus himself is the “bread from heaven.”
Our Catholic mind and heart so rightly goes
to the Eucharist. The Gospel writers and
the early Christian communities saw in this event a fore shadow of the holy
Eucharist. The sign is not centered only on what Jesus can do but rather on who
he is. In both word and action he uncovers the truth of God’s mystery. Faith in him will bring abundance – not
wealth and power but God’s grace and eternal life.
What
did Jesus ultimately do for the people?
He created with them a connection, a sense of community with himself as
the source of that event. So too in the
liturgy, we come together as brothers and sisters in the Lord and a sense of
community is present. Our liturgies since the reform of Vatican II have done
this powerfully.
Yet, are we there just to catch up on the past week? Many do but the far greater reason we are there to share in
the bread of life from the only one who can feed us – his own body and blood –
Christ himself. This is great mystery and deserves a faith filled response.
In
the miracle story, Jesus “took the
loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them.” So too in the Mass, bread is
received, offered in thanksgiving, transformed to his presence, and then
distributed so that all can be fed. This bread is not like the bread they ate
or the manna in the desert we hear referred to by Elisha the prophet in the
first reading. This bread will satisfy
in a way unlike barely loaves and fish only give temporary relief.
God
is not stingy but he measures far beyond our expectations and will never be
outdone. Of that we are assured. Our celebration of the Eucharist is a moment
to connect with the source of life itself.
We are all hungry and as we heard last week, “he taught them many things.” His word satisfied and fed their
hunger – our sharing in the Word of God each Mass is food for the soul.
But
now Jesus himself not only speaks he also touches the very core of our
existence, the need for nourishment. His
bread goes beyond the material need we all have to feed our bodies. It is food for the journey of our lives.
Many
are gathered, a sense of community, a word is shared, food is offered then
transformed, we are fed and then sent to carry on his work. If that doesn’t create a feeling of awe and
wonder nothing will. When you attend Mass this weekend or the next time you go,
plug into this great mystery and find a deeper respect. Don’t ever take this for granted because
there is nothing that will ever equal what God has done and continues to do in
and through his Church.
O God, protector of those who hope in you,
without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy,
bestow in abundance your mercy upon us
and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide,
we may use the good things that pass
in such a way as to hold fast ever now
to those that ever endure.
(Collect of Mass)
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