We just heard John’s version of the loaves and fish that is repeated in all four gospels. The miracle of Jesus feeding so many with so little is a sign that in the days to come God would fill God’s people with much needed sustenance. As today’s psalm notes, “The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.”
Jesus certainly answered the needs of the hungry crowd that day. In John’s gospel, unlike the others, this event took place near the Jewish feast of Passover. The Last Supper, the basis of our liturgy, is linked to the Passover, but John doesn’t mention this incident in his gospel. This timing is significant since the Passover is the sacred meal of the Jews celebrating their freedom from slavery in Egypt and the Lord’s continual protection as they journeyed to the promised land of milk and honey.
Jesus was providing the crowd and us with a prelude to another Passover meal, namely himself. The Last Supper would be the first opportunity for the people of God to eat the body and blood of the Lord. John was speaking here of more than barley loaves and fish being multiplied. By the time he wrote his gospel, the young church had a deeper grasp of the miracle that took place on that hillside. With this sign, Jesus performs a prophetic action. Those who eat this bread will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Recall that when the Israelites crossed the desert, they complained of being hungry. God heard their grumbling and provided them with much needed sustenance known as “manna.” What this manna was is uncertain. What is known is that God took care of them and made certain they were fed. Moses told the people not to gather more than they needed and that the left over manna need not be saved.
In contrast, Jesus told the apostles to gather up the left over fragments so that nothing would be wasted. Notice that whatever hosts are not consumed during the Mass are saved in the tabernacle for what has been consecrated remains the body and blood of Christ to be later shared with those who could not be there to eat it, namely the sick.
When we receive communion, we are present at the Last Supper. We enter into an intimate union with God, who sent his son to provide us with food for our spiritual journey that nourishes our spiritual lives. His body and blood keeps us strong to better resist the devil and give us the strength to proclaim his kingdom. We are blessed when receiving communion, knowing that the hand of the Lord is feeding us.
Just as Jesus had compassion for the multitude, it was compassion that brought him to earth in the first place. Compassion prompts him to be present to us here and now as we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, the meal in which he nourishes our spiritual hunger.
The Eucharist isn’t meant to be a personal individualistic encounter, a solitary supper, or your private party with Jesus. Its function is to form a community, which is one reason why we call this Holy Communion. We are a body of believers in Christ, willing to act in response to what he asks of us. The Eucharist is meant to move us from this gathering to the world out there to build the kingdom of God.
As Catholics, we don’t need science to tell us something is miraculous in order to believe it. In a miracle, the laws of physics are suspended or upended. If out of nothing God can create all that is, who are we to limit what God can do? Hence, with faith we believe that this sustenance we receive is not bread and wine. It is the Son of God, his body, blood, soul and divinity.
The devil is well aware of the power embedded in the Eucharist and is intent on discouraging us from believing in the potential of this sacrament to transform us into carrying on the mission of Jesus Christ in bringing about his kingdom. His strategy is simple and subtle, tempting us to give into self-centered, comfort seeking attitudes. When we do, we can be easily persuaded to forego attending Mass and dismissing the value of the Eucharist in our lives.
The devil can also persuade us to be uncaring about others. Hunger continues to be a very real problem even for some on this island who often hide in the woods rather than stand on street corners panhandling. They rely on caring people to feed them. How often do you care to bring something from your pantry to drop into one of our 3 P’s bins to help Good Cheer in its mission to feed the less fortunate?
In his letter, Paul urges us to live in a manner worthy of the call we have received. The food of the Eucharist isn’t changed into you. You are changed into Christ. You don’t become a clone of Jesus; rather Jesus reshapes you to love as Jesus loved.
We are challenged by the Eucharist to be caring toward others. Generosity should have a central place in the life of every Christian, and we get many opportunities in our everyday dealings with one another to practice it; not just giving things but also and more importantly giving of ourselves, our time, our energy, our talent and our love.
Joy is one fruit of generosity. You rarely meet a generous person who is sad and you will never meet a happy miser.