“‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish ….’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people recline.’ … the men reclined, about five thousand …. 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 they had had their fill, He said to His Disciples, ‘Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.’ So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.'”
Mass Readings 4.17.15 – ACTS 5:34-42 – PSALM 27:1, 4, 13-14 – GOSPEL: John 6:1-15 – FIND A MASS: MassTimes.org – TheCatholicDirectory.com
GOSPEL
Jesus feeds the five thousand — perhaps more like twenty thousand or more, if the men had their wives and children with them.
Even though Jesus goes across the Sea of Galilee and up a mountain, a great crowd still follows Him, because of the Signs He has been working.
Jesus expresses concern over the crowd having enough to eat. Philip observes that 200 days’ wages would not be enough for each person to have even a little.
Andrew locates a boy with five barley loaves and two fish, who apparently is willing to share.
‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish ….’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people recline.’ … the men reclined, about five thousand …. 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 they had had their fill, He said to His Disciples, ‘Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.’ So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.’
After Jesus miraculously multiplies the loaves and fishes, there is enough for thousands of people to eat their fill. Indeed, the leftover bread vastly exceeds what they started with.
We see how —
- Jesus works a great Miracle
- Jesus cares about the crowd, and us, and our earthly needs, such as the need for food
- the boy is the one who thought to bring provisions; it matters not what our station in life is, if we take initiative and think to plan
- the boy apparently is willing to share
- Jesus works a Miracle building upon what one of us is willing to offer; as some commentators and observers have noted, even if what we have to offer seems small, we should be prepared for God to multiply its imact
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
One thing I seek: to dwell in the House of the Lord.
FIRST READING
Cracks begin to appear in the facade of the Jewish authorities’ opposition to the Apostles. A Pharisee named Gamaliel advises caution, raising the possibility that the Apostles are indeed doing the Will of God.
He suggests that if their doings are of human origin, they might fade on their own, as with certain others before them. Yet if the Apostles are doing the Will of God, he cautions, they will not be able to oppose it, and they could even find themselves fighting against God.
… Gamaliel … said to the Sanhedrin, ‘Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.’
The Jewish authorities are said to be persuaded, yet they do not listen entirely, since they have the Apostles flogged and try, once again, to order them to stop Proclaiming the Gospel.
They were persuaded by him. After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
The Apostles rejoice at being allowed to suffer for the sake of God and Jesus’ Holy Name.
They persevere in Proclaiming the Gospel tirelessly.
… they left … rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the Name. … all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop Teaching and Proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.
Do we rejoice if we suffer for the Name of Christ? Are we consistent and tireless in our efforts to Proclaim the Gospel?
More Resources
- Find a Mass: MassTimes.org
- Find a Mass: TheCatholicDirectory.com
- VIDEO: Sunday Mass – Basilica in Washington, D.C.
- VIDEO: Sunday Mass – Passionists (New York)
- VIDEO: Diocese of Sioux Falls, including Sunday Masses
- VIDEO: Sunday Mass – University of Notre Dame
- VIDEO: Daily Mass – Toronto
- VIDEO: Daily Mass – Boston/Catholic TV