XVII Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)- Sunday 28 July 2024
Mass
Readings: 2 Kgs 4: 42-44 Ps 145
Eph 4:1-6 Jn 6:1-15
Key
Verse to Meditate: "There is
a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so
many people?" (Jn 6:9).
Dear
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
The seventeenth
Sunday in Ordinary Time presents for our meditation the miracle of the feeding
of the five thousand from the gospel of John. The pericope from the Gospel of
John describes how Jesus blessed five barley loaves and two fish, miraculously
feeding five thousand people in the wilderness near Bethsaida. The first
reading also features a similar episode from the life of the prophet Elisha,
who fed one hundred men. One noteworthy observation is that all the evangelists
recount the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. The culmination of
this great miracle mirrors the messianic promise described in the book of the
prophet Isaiah: "On God’s holy mountain, God will provide for his
people" (Is 25:6-9). Just as God met the needs of his people in the
wilderness through Moses, so too does God, in the person of Jesus Christ, meet
the needs of the people in the desert.
The First
Reading: The evangelist John deliberately
connects the "sign of the loaves and fishes" performed by Jesus with
a similar event involving the prophet Elisha, which we heard about in today's
first reading from 2 Kings 4:42-44. We also note the mention of "barley
loaves" in both readings. Both Prophet Elisha and Jesus intended to feed
everyone present. However, Elisha's servant expressed skepticism due to the
scarcity of "twenty loaves" for "a hundred people." This
aligns with the response of Philip, who said to the Lord, "Six months'
wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little" (Jn
6:7). Nevertheless, Elisha insisted, "Give it to the people and let them
eat, for thus says the LORD, 'They shall eat and have some left.'"
"He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word
of the LORD" (2Kgs 4:43-44). Similarly, in the Gospel, after everyone had
eaten, Jesus instructed his disciples to gather the leftovers, resulting in
twelve baskets full (Jn 6:12-13).
Another notable
aspect is that Elisha acted not in his own authority but trusted in the word of
the Lord. Conversely, Jesus acted in his own name, blessing the bread and fish,
commanding his disciples to distribute them, and gather the leftovers. This
teaches us a crucial lesson: God has come among his people in the person of
Jesus and through his miracles. When God intervenes, there is always an
abundance.
The
Second Reading: To Lead a Life Worthy of Our Christian Calling: In the second
reading of today, St. Paul, a prisoner in the Lord, exhorts all Christian
disciples to maintain unity in the Church by living according to their
Christian calling. The Christian vocation is to be lived with all humility and
gentleness, with patience and by showing forbearance to one another in love
(Eph 4:1-2; see Col 3:12-15). The strong exhortation to live worthily of their
calling has a great appeal to maintain the unity of the Spirit. St. Paul also
underlines the unifying realities of the faith, namely, one body, one Spirit,
one hope, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Lord. It is the Lord who
gathers members in His holy Church, and in turn, the members are exhorted to
grow in unity and love. Do I maintain the unity in my family and Church as a
member of one body of Christ?
Situating
the Gospel Story: We have been reflecting on chapter
six of Mark in past Sundays, and now, in a flow linking gospel passages, we
turn to chapter 6 of St. John’s Gospel. And beginning with today's Gospel
passage, for the next five Sundays, we will continue to reflect on the
discourse of "Jesus the bread of life," from the sixth chapter of
John’s Gospel.
Chapter six of
John's Gospel falls within the section on Jewish feasts (Jn 5-10). For
instance, John chapter five is part of the Sabbath feast (Jn 5:9b). Chapter six
of John is situated within the broader context of the main Jewish Passover
feast: "Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near" (Jn 6:4),
even though Jesus is not in Jerusalem but "on the other side of the Sea of
Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias" (Jn 6:1). Chapters
seven through nine of John are set within the context of the Feast of Booths
(cf. Jn 7:2). Finally, chapter ten of John takes place during the Feast of
Dedication of the Temple (cf. Jn 10:22).
In the Gospel
of John, we see a large crowd gathered around Jesus on the northeast shore of
the Sea of Galilee (cf. Mt 14:13-21; Mk 6:32-44; Lk 9:10b-17). This significant
following of Jesus is attributed to the crowd witnessing many healings
performed by Jesus. Perhaps out of faith or curiosity, the people were
following Jesus. Many believed Jesus to be the promised Messiah, having
witnessed numerous healing miracles.
Two Miracles
of the Multiplication of the Loaves: In the
gospel accounts, we find two miracles related to the multiplication of the
loaves. The first miracle occurs in Bethsaida, within Jewish territory (Lk
9:10; Mk 6:45), while the second takes place in the region of Decapolis, among
the Gentiles (Mk 6:31). The first miracle, the multiplication of the loaves and
fishes, is the only miracle story besides the resurrection that appears in all
four Gospels (Jn 6:1-14; Mt 14:31-21; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17). This miracle is
immediately followed by the account of Jesus walking on water, except in Luke's
Gospel. Similarly, the second miracle of feeding the four thousand involves
seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, reported only in the Gospels of
Matthew 15:32-39 and Mark 8:1-9 (not reported by Luke or John).
Multiplication
of the Loaves and the Story of Moses in the Desert: In
the Old Testament, the episode of 'bread from heaven' is found in Exodus chapter
16, while in the New Testament, the discourse on the bread of life is found in
John chapter 6, where Jesus speaks of himself as the 'Bread of Life'. Just as
manna was given to Israel in the wilderness, Jesus fed the people in the
wilderness. In fact, Jesus refers to this in Jn 6:31-32, affirming that it was
not Moses but His heavenly Father who gave them bread from heaven in the
wilderness. By feeding the multitude in the wilderness, Jesus becomes a new
prophet like Moses, fulfilling the scripture (Deut 18:15-19; cf. Acts 3:20-22).
This miracle thus serves as a sign (sémeion) that Jesus is the Messiah, the
prophet (Deut 18:15) who is to "come into the world" (Jn 6:14).
A Cry of Helplessness:
Just
as in previous Sunday Readings, Jesus wanted the disciples to trust in him. A
cry of helplessness was evident in the apostles when their boat was filling
with water (Mk 4:38). Similarly, when Jairus’ daughter was near death, her
father pleaded in helplessness (Mk 5:23). Yet Jesus encouraged them, saying,
‘Do not fear, only believe.’ Likewise, when the disciples saw evening
approaching and the hungry crowd, they cried out in helplessness and asked
Jesus to send them away (Mk 6:36). Jesus responded, ‘You give them something to
eat.’ t appears that Jesus had no intention of buying bread, and the disciples
believed that only a miracle could resolve this challenging situation.
God
Provides: Both Jesus and Moses faced
a similar situation of feeding the people in the desert. There was an
overwhelming need to feed the people, requiring significant resources. Moses
asking the Lord, “Where am I to get meat to give to all this people?" (Num
11:13), parallels Jesus asking Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, that
these may eat?" (Jn 6:5). Jesus is greater even than Moses. John notes
that Jesus said this to test Philip. By saying this, the disciples were given
yet another chance to learn that God provides, filling our lack of resources
and insufficiencies. More than what they could give, they were assured that God
would provide, and his power is perfected in life's weak situations (2 Cor
12:9). The focus should not be on what we can give to others, but rather on
what God has given to each of us individually and continues to give.
Jesus
Looked up to Heaven: In the Gospel
passage, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, made the people to sit down on the grass,
much like a shepherd leads his flock to green pastures. After this, Jesus
performed symbolic gestures that remind us of the Eucharist. Taking the bread
in his sacred hands, Jesus first gave thanks to God ("... and when he had given
thanks" - Jn 6:11). Mark and Matthew use the phrase "He looked up to
heaven," signifying giving thanks to God. Then, after blessing the food,
Jesus broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, who distributed it to the
multitudes (Mk 6:41; Mt 14:19; Lk 9:16). Similar gestures and words of blessing
and breaking the bread are seen in the scene of the institution of the Lord’s
Supper: "And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a
blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this
is My body'" (Mt 26:26). After Jesus’ resurrection, these words and
gestures were dramatically repeated in the encounter with the Emmaus disciples:
"And it came about that when He had reclined at the table with them, He
took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to
them" (Lk 24:30).
He
Took the Bread and Gave Thanks: Eucharist
The miracle of
feeding the five thousand people foreshadows the sacrament of the Eucharist,
which involves bread and wine. The sacrament of the Eucharist is essentially a
thanksgiving sacrifice to God the Father (Gk, eucharistia) through His
Son Jesus Christ Our Lord. The story of the institution of the Eucharist by
Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels (Mt 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24; and Lk 22:17-20), and
in the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor 11:23-25), is a profound
memorial event involving taking the bread, blessing it, and breaking it to be
given as the body of Jesus in thanksgiving. Every celebration of the Eucharist,
as a thanksgiving, effectively commemorates Jesus’ death on the cross.
"Don’t
Preach to the Empty Stomachs" : First
and foremost, upon seeing the crowds, Jesus was more concerned with addressing
their physical hunger than delivering catechesis. He understood well that
hungry people do not listen attentively to sermons. Jesus’ compassion towards
the crowds, described as sheep without a shepherd, is evident. This episode
vividly portrays the compassionate heart of Jesus and demonstrates God’s care
for His people in their most basic needs. It underscores Jesus' identification
with the suffering and his proactive steps to provide for them.
Multiplication
of the Loaves: A Great Sign: Another aspect
of this miracle is that the multiplication of the loaves and fishes serves as a
profound sign. The Gospel passage we have meditated on reveals significant
truths about Jesus Christ, the sole Savior and redeemer who performs
astonishing signs and miracles. Through this miracle, Jesus himself becomes the
sign of God’s providence and presence among his people.
At the
conclusion of the miracle, the crowds perceived it as a messianic sign.
According to Jewish tradition, the Messiah was expected to renew and perform
miracles akin to those of the great prophet Moses during the Israelites'
journey through the desert. Therefore, in accordance with this messianic
expectation, the people proclaimed Jesus as the true "prophet," the
anticipated "last Moses." Hence, Jesus fulfilled the role of the
expected Messiah: "When the people saw the sign that he had done, they
began to say, 'This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world'"
(Jn 6:14).
In fact,
according to Deuteronomy, God had promised Moses before his death: "I will
raise up a prophet for them in the midst of their brothers and put my words in
his mouth and he will tell them what I will command him" (Dt 18:18).
Therefore, the people who were present during the multiplication of the loaves
tried to proclaim Jesus as king. But Jesus refused because his mission was not
political but religious. In this, they misunderstood Jesus. They began to look
at him as a superhuman and a king. But they had not come to the level of seeing
Jesus as the divine Messiah.
Eucharist
in the Life of the Church: We believe
that this episode is reflected in the liturgical celebration, with the risen
Jesus Christ coming to nourish the new people of God with his miracle during
the Eucharist. But we need to consider ourselves worthy to participate in this
celebration of the Eucharist. This aligns with the second reading of today,
where St. Paul urges the Ephesians to consider the greatness of their call to
be disciples participating in the Eucharist: "I therefore, the prisoner in
the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been
called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one
another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace" (Eph 4:1-3). Participation in the Eucharist also tells us
that it is God alone who can take away the hunger of humanity and fill our
lives with meaning and fulfilment.
Points
for Personal Reflection: Lessons from the Five Loaves and Two Fishes
In the first
place, the miracle of the multiplication
of the loaves and fishes speaks to us about the transformative power of
generosity and selflessness. Christ Jesus borrowed the breakfast meal from a
little boy—five loaves and two fishes. Just as a few loaves and fish were
multiplied to feed the multitude, our small acts of kindness and compassion can
nourish the lives of others. In life, we see that we have great demands but
fewer resources to meet the needs. Maybe we are given great pastoral responsibilities
but small reserves of graces, with little knowledge and talent. Why be afraid?
When we bring our small gifts, talents, and abilities and place them before
Christ, he makes them grow and bear fruit, if we cooperate with his heavenly
graces.
Secondly, we also learn the importance of saying grace at meals, because
Jesus himself, before he multiplied the five barley loaves and two fish (Jn
6:9), "raised His eyes to heaven and prayed," and then distributed
(Jn 6:11).
Thirdly, Jesus also taught them the great lesson of not wasting food,
because Jesus tells them, "Gather up the fragments, lest they be lost” (Jn
6:12). The five loaves blessed and multiplied had twelve baskets of leftovers.
Some Bible scholars note that the five loaves symbolized the five books of the
Torah, and the twelve baskets of leftovers symbolized the twelve tribes of
Israel. In the second miracle of feeding the four thousand people done in the
region of Decapolis (Mt 15:32-39; Mk 8:1-9), there were seven baskets of
leftovers symbolizing the seven nations who lived in the land of Canaan (Acts
7:8). More than the interpretations, what we need to stress here is that Jesus
is the Messiah who feeds everyone with the bread of God’s Word and with the
bread of life. The miracle of the multiplication of the fish and loaves is
merely a sign pointing to the greater reality that Christ can spiritually feed
his people eternally.
Whoever seeks
Christ in sincerity to listen to his words and to be fed by him does not return
empty-handed. Before feeding the people, Jesus first fed them with the bread of
his word and healed them of their diseases. Our little faith in Christ is often
blessed and multiplied, and it has the transformative power of reaching many
people. The more we give to Christ, the closer we draw to God. Allow Jesus to
multiply your small faith.
Do I seek Jesus, the true bread from heaven, who can satisfy my
hunger?
How do I trust Jesus, who provides for all my needs?
Do I see in Jesus God’s presence and God’s providence for me?
Do I believe and follow Jesus, the Son of God who can feed me
spiritually? Or do I follow him simply because he did great miracles?
