"What good are these for so many?"
John 6: 1-15
If you ever wonder about the generosity of God just think of
today’s 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 or "sign" as John refers to the miracles of Jesus; an indication, a sign, of who he is. For the early Christians, it was a memory, for
some an experience, and for all an foreshadow of the Holy Eucharist.
If this generosity wasn’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, the first of his "signs," but 180 gallons of it which 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 lavish, 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. They witnessed what he could do for
them: feed, heal, inspire, and gather together. 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 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. This was a wise teacher they had never before encountered who could
work wonders in God’s name. “He must be
the Prophet! He must be the long awaited Elijah!”
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.
Yet, such spiritual insight will take time and the lived experience of the
faith.
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.
As the crowds followed Jesus relentlessly, remember last
Sunday’s Gospel as well (Mk 6: 30 – 34): “People
were coming and going in great numbers” we see here our gathering from many
parts, cultures and languages of the world, our gathering for the celebration
of the Eucharist each week. Christ feeds
us with his Word and then profoundly feeds us with his own real presence under
the signs of bread and wine, his body and blood.
So, to in our Mass, Jesus created with them and now with us, 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 he 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 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.
“Go, and announce the Gospel of the Lord.”
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