Word to the Wise
Friday, April 4, 2008 - Friday in the Second Week of Easter
[Acts 5:34-42 and John 6:1-15]Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.......When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world."
The "multiplication of the loaves and fishes" is one of the few deeds of Jesus that shows up in all four gospels! It occurs twice in Mark and Matthew and once each in Luke and John. In the "synoptic gospels" (Mt, Mk, Lk) the emphasis is on the eucharistic character of the event and also on the role of the disciples in distributing the food to the crowd. In John, there is no mediating action by the disciples. Jesus fees the crowd directly. What the Gospel of John appears to be interested in is the profession of faith by the crowd! It is an imperfect profession because they want to act politically on it, but the recognition of Jesus is primary to the meaning of the sign. The liturgical period after the celebration of Easter is a time in which the church meditates on the death and resurrection of Jesus and how we are to recognize him. In the Gospel of John, each "sign" that Jesus works points to his identity. Often the sign is followed by a discourse on its meaning. In this case, Jesus will deliver the significant discourse on the I AM saying, "I AM the Bread of Life." (This will feature in next week's gospel readings: stay tuned!). For the moment, the impact of the sign is strong and the reaction seems immediate. It may be worthwhile for us to ponder the question of recognition. Each time we receive the consecrated host, the minister will say, "The Body of Christ!" We respond "AMEN!" (Sometimes I don't get any response at all!). By saying "AMEN!" we are supposed to be making a profession of faith in the reality of the eucharistic presence of Christ. If our thoughts are wildly wandering during that time in line, will we be able at the last minute to recollect? Is this host truly "the prophet who was to come into the world?" AMEN
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