My dear parishioners, the Gospel of John Chapter 6 is extraordinary. If anything in the whole of Sacred Scripture is the biblical heart of our Catholic religion, it is this particular chapter. Five-thousand men plus many women and children who have followed Jesus across the hillsides of northern Galilee are fed through a great miracle of fish and bread. Greater than this, Jesus will feed these with the miraculous teaching, Eat my flesh, drink my blood. [Jn 6:56]
When Jesus asks Saint Philip to test him, “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat,” Philip replies matter-of-factly, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” [Jn 6:7] Notice that when Philip responds to Jesus, he deflects with information but does not offer an idea. He may think Jesus is a little off. Sorry Jesus, no cash, no bakery. I don’t get it.
Philip should have said I don’t know. He should have asked Lord, how can I help you? Philip has nothing to offer except chat. His response reveals a certain indifference. He might be clueless, but he well understands the plight of the crowd. He, himself, is tired and hungry. More importantly, he still doesn’t really know this Jesus he’s chosen to follow. Philip’s is the face of the apostles’ confusion (and paralysis) staring at a mountainous challenge of feeding thousands. So his hands are empty. Holding back, he can do nothing. To Philip’s credit, however, he did not belittle Jesus or turn away from him. At least he’s thinking.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, seems to be somewhat more aware of what Jesus wants and what resources are available to them. He says “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish. [Jn 6:9] Though resourceful enough to identify a young man with bread and fish, he hardly knows what to do with these resources. His uncertainty, like Philip’s, makes him think. Is Andrew’s failure greater than Philip’s? Even with some supplies in hand, Andrew feels compelled to confess his doubt out loud, saying: “. . . but what are they among so many?” [Jn 6:9] He, too, does not yet fathom the divinity of Jesus. He cannot see the barley loaves and fishes as a genuine starting point for Christ to feed the crowds.
After putting his apostles to the test, Jesus satisfies the crowds hunger and twelve baskets of bread are left over! What does all this teach you? Jesus is the only source of your confidence. All the more, said St. Therese of Lisieux, that you possess confidence to audacity! [Francois Jamart OCD, COMPLETE SPIRITUAL DOCTRINE OF ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX (New York: Alba House, 1961) 69] Jesus is the only source of your courage: “Do not be afraid!” [Lk 5:10] Yes, you and your family and your intimate friends are a part of something bigger than you realize. You belong to Christ and his Church! You are given by God a mighty work to accomplish in his name, a task that no one else can fill in this world. But you need not be anxious or dismayed. You are blessed. Like your family, and the family of the Church, there are many, many eager apostles who work Our Lord’s vineyard. You can help Jesus. You should help him!
Do take time to kneel in an out-of-the-way place to pray at the feet of Jesus. This is to say, stop exhausting yourself with hectic, distressful, useless activity that has nothing to do with your genuine good. Your hillside, your shore is the Church, and most personally St. Philip the Apostle parish. Jesus Christ is present to you now. He is very near to you. He is in your heart. He is the shepherd of your soul. He is fully present in the Bread of Life. He is in the midst of his people. He serves you. Now you, in turn, must serve others! Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker.
My dear parishioners, the Gospel of John Chapter 6 is extraordinary. If anything in the whole of Sacred Scripture is the biblical heart of our Catholic religion, it is this particular chapter. Five-thousand men plus many women and children who have followed Jesus across the hillsides of northern Galilee are fed through a great miracle of fish and bread. Greater than this, Jesus will feed these with the miraculous teaching, Eat my flesh, drink my blood. [Jn 6:56]