Reflection

Gospel

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.

The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline."

Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.

When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted." So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.

When the people saw the sign he had made, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.           John 6: 1-15 

Reflection

In today’s gospel from John, we hear of another feeding. “A large crowd was following him (Jesus), …” They were following a kind, generous, gentle man who feeds the poor, cures the lame and heals the broken-hearted. A man who eats with women, foreigners and immigrants. Yet, a strong man who speaks the truth and stands up for those who cannot defend themselves. After much walking, the crowd is hungry for something to eat. But there is another sort of hunger which they cannot name. A hunger satisfied when they are with Jesus.  Just being near Jesus seems to satisfy an inner desire. So they follow him.

“Jesus saw a large crowd coming to him, he said to Philip, " Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” “Philip answered, two hundred days wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.”

What is going on between Elisha, speaking almost verbatim Jesus’ words, and the servant? What is happening between Jesus and Philip?  Both the servant and Philip are trying to solve the practical problem of feeding a large crowd with not nearly enough food and not enough money. Both Philip and the servant could not fathom how it could be done.  Like Elisha, Jesus insisted – the crowd was fed with much left over. 

This has happened to me on more than one occasion.  I get stuck in my head trying to figure out the logistics of Jesus’ invitation, whatever it is. When I move from my head to my heart, I open up to Jesus. This is not a head calculation; this is a matter for the heart. This is a matter of faith, of being in a trusting, open relationship with Jesus. In my heart I can more readily receive Jesus, not try to cram Jesus into my brain. As if there will come a time when I will be able to unravel the mystery of God.  That is a hope and prayer unworthy of us. It will never happen. We can hope for and trust in his mercy and love.Jesus never said your title has saved you. Jesus says over and over again, “your faith has saved you”.  “Do not be afraid.” “Trust me, follow me, love each other as I have loved you.” “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.”  Jesus was teaching Philip that he could never feed the crowds or anything else outside of their oneness.  Their relationship, as ours, must be based on faith, hope, trust, generosity and above all else Love of God.

The Best News….I don’t have to figure it out!

Julie Leonard Religious Education Leader/Wellbeing Leader