Reflection
In our Gospel today, we hear John’s account of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. The juxtaposition of Jesus on the mountain seeing the large crowd approaching with the coming Passover fosters a connection between Moses and Jesus.
In the context of the second Passover of Jesus’ public ministry, Jesus works his fourth sign and multiplies the five loaves of bread and two fish for the five thousand. The sign anticipates the last Passover that Jesus will celebrate with his disciples. The yearly celebration of Passover recalls and makes present the great act of salvation the Lord did through the leadership of Moses. After the Passover in Egypt, Moses led the people into the wilderness and to the mountain of God. Like Moses, Jesus has led the people into the wilderness and up the mountain. Jesus will bring about the fulfillment of the Passover and establish the New Passover. Moses led the people from the slavery of Egypt to the border of the Promised Land. Jesus, through his great act of salvation, leads us from the slavery of sin to the freedom of the children of God.
As we journey toward the heavenly promised land, we are led through the wilderness of earthly life by the New Moses, Jesus Christ. And just as the people of Israel needed bread for their earthly journey, we also need bread for our journey. The miracle and sign of the multiplication of the loaves of bread looks back to the feeding of Israel in the desert with manna. The manna descended each morning and was enough to feed the people for a day. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we ask: “Give us this day, our daily bread.” We ask God not only to sustain us and meet our physical needs, but we also ask for the supernatural bread of life.
Moses promised that the Lord would send a prophet like himself. (see Dt. 18:15) The people had waited centuries for the ultimate fulfillment of that prophecy of Moses. When Jesus works the sign and multiplies the bread for the people in a deserted place, they begin to think that Jesus is the prophet-like-Moses sent by the Lord. The question is: “Will they listen to the words of Jesus?” Knowing that this chapter will culminate in the Bread of Life Discourse, we’ll see their response when Jesus teaches at the synagogue in Capernaum, “Whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51).
Our challenge is to remember that Jesus is the Bread that gives us eternal life. Do we seek Him and His Word as our Lord and Savior?
Today’s Questions for Prayer and Reflection
Can I seek Jesus today and bring what I long for to Him in prayer? Can I spend time with Him in Eucharistic Adoration?
Source for today’s reflection: https://epriest.com/reflections/view/3051