First Reading: 2 Kings 4:42‐44
Reflection:
This short account of a miracle performed in the days of the prophet Elisha foreshadows the even greater miracle that Jesus performs in this Sunday’s gospel reading. Elisha lived in the 800s B.C. He was the successor to the great prophet Elijah. Like many of the other prophets in the Old Testament, Elisha performed miracles to witness to the fact that his prophetic ministry truly was of the Lord. This miracle of the multiplication of barley loaves is, in fact, recounted within the context of a whole string of miracles performed by Elisha. The twenty barley loaves would not have come close to feeding the one hundred people at hand. The servant recognized this and, understandably, objected to giving out food that would quickly run short and potentially cause an uproar by those who did not receive any. But Elisha insisted they do so because the Lord would provide enough. Elisha, then, exemplifies trust in God to provide. And God, in fact, did multiply the little they had into enough to feed the one hundred people with “some left over.”
Second Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
Reflection:
Here the Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians in Ephesus (and us today) to live up to their Christian identity. When he says, “I urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,” Paul is reminding them that their identity is in Christ because Jesus has called them to follow him. They have taken on the name of Christ as Christians and, therefore, represent him to the world. This is an amazing call that all of us have also received. Now, the challenge is to “live in a manner worthy” of it. Paul is basically saying, you are Christians, now act like it. This is a challenging exhortation and one we should take seriously in our own lives. It is one thing to call ourselves a Christian (or, more specifically, a Catholic) but do we live accordingly in our daily lives? Jesus calls us not to a life of mediocrity but to live life to the full. He calls us to love Him and give evidence to that love by obeying his commandments. He calls us to have “humility,” “gentleness,” “patience,” and “love,” among many other virtues. How is this possible? First, it is only possible by the grace of God. We need to receive his grace in the sacraments, in particular, to grow in virtue. Second, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us, making us holy. Third, we cannot do this alone. We need each other. We need the Church. Paul emphasizes the oneness of the Church in the second half of this Sunday’s reading. United with our brothers and sisters in Christ here and around the world, we can find strength to live out our Christian identity. Let us, therefore, strive for unity with one another. This is not a superficial unity but a real, substantial unity based on the truth. It is a unity that recognizes that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” and seeks to grow in relationship with one another while growing in relationship with God.
Gospel Reading: John 6:1-15
Reflection:
This profound miracle appears in all four gospels in the New Testament. In fact, it is the only one of Jesus’This profound miracle appears in all four gospels in the New Testament. In fact, it is the only one of Jesus’ miracles (besides the resurrection) that is recorded by all four gospel writers. That alone indicates its significance. Also, John’s gospel gives us more of the context of this miracle than the others, showing us why it is so significant. First, he records that the feeding of the five thousand took place when “the Jewish feast of Passover was near.” The Passover is the feast during which Jesus would institute the Eucharist and die for our sins one year after this multiplication of the loaves miracle. Second, John records the “Bread of Life Discourse” (which we will hear in the coming weeks). In that dialogue, Jesus gives us some of the most profound teaching on the Eucharist as he explains to the crowds that he is the “living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51). This context shows us that the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves is a foreshadowing to the even greater miracle of the Eucharist, in which Jesus gives his very self to us. Jesus fed the crowds with loaves of bread then, but now he feeds us with his very body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist. Let us praise and thank God for the miracle of the Eucharist!
Application:
- What one thing will you do this week to better “live in a manner worthy of the call you have received” as a Christian? What needs to change in your life to be more faithful to that identity?
- Have you ever reflected on the Eucharist being a more amazing miracle than the Feeding of the 5,000? How does understanding the Eucharist in light of Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves miracle change or expand your appreciation for the gift we have in the Eucharist?
