John 6: 1-15
The sequence of Gospel readings for the last weeks has led to Mark's account of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. However because Mark's Gospel is the shortest of the three synoptic gospels, the lectionary draws upon John's Gospel for some of the Sundays. This Sunday begins a series of five Sundays of ordinary time where Gospel texts focus on the bread of life theme that John develops in the sixth chapter of that gospel. (Because Sunday, August 6, the Transfiguration is celebrated, not all the gospels in the series will be read.)
The opening verses of the text suggest that Jesus' signs of power had a huge impact on the people so the crowed followed him. John does not mention that Jesus' teaching impresses them. The sense is that there is something else which attracted the people. There is also no mention that the people are hungry or that Jesus has been teaching them at some length. Therefore John seems to be focusing on the incident as a sign of the power of God in the person of Jesus.
The feast of Passover also coincides with the feast of Unleavened Bread. These feasts celebrate the people's release from the slavery of the Egyptians and the first harvest in the new Promised Land. Their celebration recalls the saving events of the past and looks forward in hope to the final age of complete fulfillment. It is also the time of the Barley harvest. After wheat, barley was the most plentiful grain. It was more tolerant of variations in weather and grew to maturity quicker than wheat. Barley loaves were considered to be the bread of the very poor. The fish would have been small fish, no lager than sardines, and were probably dried.
In Mark's account the disciples pay a much more active role. The disciples approach Jesus about the people's need for food, Jesus tells them that they should provide for the need and they help distribute the food. In John's account, Jesus initiates the incident by asking Philip where they could buy food but Jesus knows what he is going to do and there is no mention that the disciples help distribute the food. In both texts, there is a similarity to Eucharist in that Jesus takes the food, gives thanks, and distributes the food. In John, the connection is made stronger by focusing primarily on the bread. In both texts the miraculous nature of what has taken place is highlighted by the fact that twelve baskets of leftovers are collected. John also makes it clear that the people understand the nature of what has taken place. They see what has taken place as a signal that the time of completion is near. The fulfillment of the feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread has finally arrived and the people move to make Jesus their king.
- How much of your prayer is looking for some sign of God's power in your life, the life of someone you know, or in the world? How much of your prayer asks that you have the wisdom and courage to engage others as Jesus did?
- Phillip and Andrew respond to the situation very differently. Do you know people who would be more likely to respond like Phillip or Andrew? How about your parish community, do they respond more like Phillip or Andrew?
- What significance is it that the author makes sure we know they were barley loaves? What meaning does that give to the text for you?
- Jesus knew that the crowd was just looking for some display of God's power and that they would be tempted to make him their king. Why do you think Jesus performs this miracle?
- Which part of this text seems to touch you? Does this help you to see your relationship to God more clearly? Does it help you to appreciate the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration more fully?
(Comments to Paul at pauljg@mindspring.com.)
Paul Gallagher, OFM
San Damiano Friary
4856 West 29th Street
Cicero, IL 60804
708.656.1022
pauljg@mindspring.com