Sunday, July 28, 2024

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Dear brothers and sisters, today we begin an anomaly in the liturgy. For five Sundays, we interrupt our reading of the Gospel according to Saint Mark to reflect on the "Bread of Life Discourse" in the Gospel according to Saint John. The discourse helps us understand the Eucharist, which Vatican II called "the source and summit of Christian life."

Today's reading can be seen as the material on which Jesus reflects in the discourse. Its intention is to raise the question: "Who is Jesus?" We cannot understand the Eucharist without first having a correct concept of Jesus.

The reading begins with many people following Jesus to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They have seen him performing miraculous cures and want to see more of them. They do not yet have faith in Jesus; they are simply amazed by his power. They make up an immense crowd of five thousand men, and who knows how many women and children?

Jesus assumes the role of a gracious host when he asks Philip, "How can we buy bread so that these people may eat?" He is concerned that everyone will be well-nourished, but he has more in mind than calories and carbohydrates. He is going to provide spiritual nourishment so that they may have life in abundance. This is the reason for the question. He wants to know if Philip has been able to penetrate his humanity to recognize his divinity.

As if it were a Mass, Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks to God for it, and distributes it among the people. Because he is such a good host, he serves the fish in the same way. Bread and fish comprised the basic foods for lunch among the Palestinians two thousand years ago. They were like rice and beans or tortillas and beans for various peoples today.

After the distribution of food, Jesus asks his disciples to gather the leftovers. Because they gather only the bread, it can be said that it, and not the fish, is the provision emphasized here. The twelve baskets of leftovers indicate not only the enormity of the miracle but something deeper. Each basket represents one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Just as God fed the Israelites with manna in the desert, Jesus feeds the crowd on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The implication is clear. Jesus is like God in his concern and action on behalf of the people. The Book of Exodus explains that by being satisfied with manna, the Israelites would know that the Lord was their God. Thus, the Galileans should recognize Jesus as God by the multiplication of the loaves.

However, the people do not yet reach this conclusion. They call Jesus only "the prophet" of whom Moses speaks in the book of Deuteronomy. They also attempt to proclaim him king. These roles pale when compared to reality. The prophet would be like Moses, not like God. Also, every human king serves for a limited time and with power subject to being surpassed by another’s. Only God reigns forever with absolute power.

But what kind of bread does Jesus have that multiplies to nourish entire nations? And what is the spiritual nourishment that yields life in abundance? Finally, how exactly should we understand life in abundance? To answer these questions, we have to reflect deeply on the Bread of Life Discourse in the coming weeks.

 

Sunday, August 4, 2024

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Exodus 16:2-4,12-15; Ephesians 4:17,20-24; John 6:24-35)

Bishops are concerned that most Catholics do not believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. This is a grave and real matter. But an even more important question is, who is Jesus? Many, both Christians and non-Christians, think of him as a sage like Sophocles or a prudent leader like Lincoln. Last week we saw Jesus giving signs that he is God. Just as God gave the Israelites manna to feed them physically, Jesus gave those who sought him bread that nourished them both physically and spiritually.

In today's gospel, Jesus reveals that he is the Bread of Eternal Life, but first, he discusses with the Jews their values. He accuses them of seeking him not for the spiritual bread he imparts but for the bread that satisfied them without having to work for it. He says this pursuit is futile because physical bread will eventually run out. Sooner or later, this bread will sour like the manna left on the desert floor. Instead, Jesus offers himself, "the Bread of Life," that lasts forever. He says that if they accept him as the Son of God with faith, he will continue to satisfy them endlessly.

Many in the world today, like these Jews, strive to satisfy themselves with things that eventually lose their value. They think these things will bring them happiness. There are many substitutes for true happiness, but they can be summarized in four words starting with the letter "p": power, property, prestige, and pleasure. These attract many but are ultimately like bread that perishes. Olympic athletes who strive to be the fastest runner or the strongest boxer will soon see another athlete who runs faster or punches harder. The rich will see their millions dissipate when they realize they cannot buy health or love. The famous today do not have to wait many tomorrows to see others receive more attention than them. And pleasure often proves to be a curse due to its harmful effects, as has happened with many smokers.

But the Jews resist Jesus' offer. They ask for proof of his relationship with God. Evidently, they have forgotten the multiplication of loaves. Anyway, they want another sign before they believe in him. They suggest it be something like the manna their ancestors ate in the desert. Jesus responds that this "bread from heaven" was a gift from God, his Father, and now he gives them the true bread from heaven, which is himself. He adds that accepting him as the Son sent by God is equivalent to doing God's work or, better, fulfilling his will.

So far, we have not had to consider the Blessed Sacrament to explain how he is the Bread of Life. His words and actions can be considered spiritual nourishment to be consumed. However, it is necessary to keep a proper sense of Jesus for him to be the substance that satisfies the world’s hunger. It is not simply that he has the most recognized name in history. Rather, he can satisfy the world because he is God. That is, Jesus is the spiritual creator that allows the existence of all being by participation in Him. We can compare him to the sun. Just as the sun's rays create life on earth, the metaphysical action of God gives existence to the physical universe. Jesus Christ has come to reveal God's will through his words and even more through his sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. Him we trust and follow.