From Safari…..
I am sure it is more than coincidence that today’s scriptures follow The National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis last week. From all accounts it was a moving five day event. Picture 50,000 pilgrims praying in silence for the Blessed Sacrament. A variety of presenters emphasizing the importance of the Eucharist in our lives and how to be Christ in the world. How to carry forth the energy of the Congress in the coming days?
Today we begin a five-week intermission from the Gospel of Mark with the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. If we had continued in our reading from Mark, our next story is the feeding of the 5000. Those who put together the lectionary bring us to a similar event recorded in John’s Gospel. Jesus interprets this meal of barley loaves and two fish as the sharing of his body and blood. The feeding of the multitude begins the sixth chapter of John which is known as the Bread of Life discourse.
Recall that unlike the other Gospels, John’s Last Supper scene focuses on Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. John highlights in the Last Supper the humility and servant leadership of Jesus. Here in chapter six, Jesus does the same actions often associated with the Last Supper, he takes the bread and fish, gives thanks and blesses them. From precious little, five barley loaves and two fish, not only are over 5,000 fed but there are twelve baskets of leftovers.
Jesus doesn’t even flinch when faced with the odds of feeding thousands with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. He acts decisively, scarcity becomes abundance. It is yet another reminder that in God we will find all the resources we need in life,
At every Mass we unite our personal gifts to the bread and wine that is brought forward. Through Jesus’ words the bread and wine become his body and blood. Nourished by this sacred meal, we in turn are blessed so that through us God’s grace will impact the lives of those we meet this week.
Remember, the focus of the Eucharist for Jesus was always on his Father. Listen carefully to the Eucharistic prayer, we give praise and thanks to the Father for all he has done for us, especially for sending Jesus with the good news of the Father's love and compassion for us. We remember Jesus' life, death and resurrection. During the eucharistic prayer we ask for the Spirit to transform us into the body of Christ so that we can continue his mission of bringing justice, peace and love to the world. The command of Jesus at every Eucharist, “Do this in memory of me” How will you imitate the selfless love of Jesus this week?
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