Sunday, July 25, 2021

 SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, July 25, 2021

(II Kings 4:42-44; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15)

In December, President Biden received his first dose of the virus vaccine. The photo of the event was published in many newspapers across America. It was a sign that the vaccine is not dangerous but helpful, indeed life-saving. More than scientific reports, the photo has the power to reach human consciousness. In the gospel Jesus performs a sign with similar effect when he feeds the crowd.

Jesus has performed several signs before. He healed the sick, and once changed water into wine. But he has never accomplished anything as impressive as multiplying a few loaves and fish to feed hundreds of people. He does it with leftovers to satisfy dozens of others. Jesus doesn't just want to nourish people. His greater concern is that they take him as the bread of eternal life. Now people recognize him as "the prophet to come." Unfortunately, however, they don't understand the meaning of his words.

In the reading the people come to make Jesus king. They think that he will give them bread without them working. They are wrong in two ways. First, they don't realize how work is an irreplaceable blessing. In this world men and women prove themselves worthy, at least in part, through work. They develop both their brains and their muscles in effort to produce useful goods and services for others. They also work to buy food, clothes, and shelter for their families. If we wanted a life without work, we would have a primitive existence like fish on a coral reef.

Second, people are wrong when they think of natural bread as what is most important. They are unaware that the greatest food Jesus offers is a share in his life. More than healing diseases and more than eating bread, a share in Jesus' life promises consolation and love that lasts forever. This is not to say that his life is always easy.  The consolation he offers is not received without suffering. The love he gives is not known without death itself.

In the gospel, everyone eats his fill. So we must also. The bread that Jesus provides us is his own flesh in the form of the Eucharistic host. Taking it in faith, we will be inclined to work not only for the good of our families but also for others. Be it caring for children or mowing lawns, with the bread that is Jesus our brains and muscles will create a better world. Then we will experience some of the comfort and love whose fullness will come to us at the end of time.