Homilies
What should we give? John 6:1-21
The media bombards us with images from around the world constantly. Switching between reporting about the obesity problem in the West to the malnutrition, starvation and famine in poorer countries. Either way, concern about feeding people is a top priority.
The disciples were concerned too about the number of people who were coming to see Jesus and to listen to him teach and witness his healings. Jesus, of course knew how he would handle the situation, but he tested Philip by asking, 'where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?' It occurred to me that this was a very specific question. He didn't ask where they would get food or how they would feed all the people, but rather - where are we to buy BREAD? As Christians, we are told that Jesus is the Bread of Life, we are to feed on him and he will sustain us. But would his disciples and others have understood this at that time? Philip was concerned with earthly matters; the cost of buying enough for everyone to eat and Andrew was trying to be practical and economical with their resources, but lacked understanding. He discovered the boy who had brought the five loaves and two fishes with him for his lunch but he was defeated by the small amount amongst such a large crowd of people.
Only last week we heard how the disciples were busy telling Jesus all that they had done and taught in his name, they were living daily miracles, yet this week? They were defeated and lacked faith, they wanted to send the crowds away and let them figure it out for themselves. Jesus, though didn't see a problem in front of him, he saw a possibility for ministry.
The story also makes specific mention to the fact that there was a grassy area and that Jesus asked his disciples to get the people to sit there. In interesting observation or a hidden meaning? If we consider the overarching story, we might recall that it was Spring as we are told that Passover time was approaching, Jewish men were required to return to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and they often travelled with their families. So this crowd, which although recorded as 5000, may well have been closer to 20000 if women and children were included, were on their way through arid terrain with their sacrificial lambs (and packed lunches), heading towards to Jerusalem....and what did they encounter? Jesus, unbeknownst to them as yet, the One true sacrificial Lamb.
In John's Gospel, no detail is wasted and there is a lot of use of symbolism. Mentioning the grassy area, wasn't a coincidence at all. It represents an area of abundance, like a pasture, where sheep or their shepherds may be refreshed and as the crowds sat down, Jesus took the bread and fish and gave thanks to God for them. After this, we are told that all those present ate until they were satisfied according to their need. Jesus then ordered the disciples to collect up the leftovers so that nothing was lost. A timely reminder of today's concerns, where some people are unable to be satiated at all, whilst others greedily overindulge - filled according to their need is very different from filled according to their want.
I was always curious, when I was younger, why there were leftovers. Surely Jesus, would be able to make sure that he created exactly enough food for all? Even if there were some leftovers, 12 baskets seems a little excessive? One basket for each disciple perhaps - who had started the day empty handed, tired and dubious about their efforts - coincidence? What if, this miracle was meant primarily as a teaching opportunity for the disciples rather than for the crowds this time. After all, Jesus only asked for bread, but he did call his disciples to be fishers of men. The bread and fish together weaving great symbolism of his purpose and ministry.
The benefits experienced by the crowd were not only hearing Jesus teach and being fed until satisfied but that they also shared in God's common Grace. After all, common Grace is available to everyone isn't it? You don't have to be a Christian to enjoy the beauty of a sunset or gaze in awe at the miracle of new life or even appreciate the smell of fresh cut grass or freshly baked bread. The disciples, however, were going to be Jesus' representatives here on earth, even when He was no longer with them.
Earlier, I mentioned the opportunity for ministry at all times and in all places. Jesus, would also have been well aware of the knowledge about their own ancestral history, for those present in the crowd. Where else might such a great feeding have happened for such a large number and in such abundance that it produced leftovers? - Jesus was able to use this time to reveal more of who he was, to those with understanding. 4000 years earlier, in the desert wilderness, another great prophet - Moses- fed his people with Manna provided from Heaven. (if you wish to compare notes, this earlier version can be found in Exodus 16). At that time, Moses was leading his people towards the Promised Land and during this epic journey he prophesied 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.'
Jesus, here, was revealing to them that He was that prophet. So why not just tell them? Jesus knew that they weren't ready to fully understand, he also knew they would try to forcibly make him their King but for the wrong reasons. Jesus' first recorded words in the Bible, explain his veiled teachings here -“Why do you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business.” Just as Jesus knew when it was time to stay and teach and heal, he also knew when he must withdraw. His purpose was being revealed through God's will and God's time - His Father's business.
To conclude, today's Gospel has many lessons for us. We should give charitably. We should give, with thanks, what little we have to Jesus and let him multiply it for the benefit of all and even how, when we give all we have in Jesus' name, there is more to give. There might also be a lesson in there about giving freely and wholeheartedly, not withholding anything back from God. These are important lessons and good rules for life, not just for Christians.
For me, the main point which struck me was that we should, at all times and in all places, look for what Jesus is revealing to us about Himself and to seek that understanding. So as we share in receiving his body, which was broken for us and his blood, which was shed for us, pause, ponder, and pray about what it is telling us about who Jesus is and how that is important for us in our lives and how we can show that to others.