Scripture: Acts 5:34-42. Psalm 27:1.4.3-14. John 6:1-15. Lectionary # 271:

Acts presents us with an idyllic picture of the early Church and the
fellowship (koinonia) of the Christian community in Jerusalem. The Spirit
has so energized the apostles that they are now fearless proclaimers of the
Good News about Jesus of Nazareth who is the Messiah. Today's summary, and
Luke is so good at summarizing, the apostles and disciples boldy teach and
preach about Jesus the crucified one who is now the Risen Lord. Central to
their message and life in common is the theme of Baptism in the name of
Jesus and the Breaking of the Bread (the Eucharist). We see these two
sacraments are also the Good News that John is writing and are read in the
liturgy during this second week of Easter. We move from the baptism
discourse Jesus has with Nicodemus to the hills of Galilee where Jesus,
similarly to the scene of the Sermon on the Mount, sits and prepares the
apostles for the great sign of the Eucharist. It is Passover time and in
this miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fish we definitely are
aware that the Eucharist is the intentional theme of the Fourth Evangelist
throughout chapter six. Sign always signals the gift of believing in Jesus
and going beyond what the miracle or healing means. Discourse follows in
the Johannine pattern and Jesus is alwayrs the one who speaks as a Revealer
of the words of God and the significant events that will nourish the faith
of his followers. Besides the clear description of where this takes place
we also have the words of Jesus that help us to easily recall this is a
Eucharistic event. The text reads, "Jesus then took the loaves of bread,
gave thanks, and passed them around to those reclining there." At Passover
the celebration was re-enacted in the Israelite communities and they
reclined at table as the Passover Narrative of the Exodus was retold by the
head of the household. Jesus will add the footwashing to this celebration
in his last anticpated Passover with his intimate friends, the apostles.
In our reading we realize that this is the most recorded miracle of Jesus
in the New Testament with Mark having two accounts of a miraculous feeding,
followed by Matthew's double narrative of the miracle. Luke has his
multiplication tradition and then John begins his with our reading. We
will see that the discourse of Jesus will be a wisdom presentation of the
meaning of the Eucharist and then as chapter six nears its conclusion the
reality of the Eucharist in very bold language is given to us.So bold that
many of the followers of Jesus left him, but not the apostles who believed
that Jesus has the words of eternal life. The liturgical readings are knit
together by the beautiful Psalm 27 which has the following verses for
today: "I believe I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the
living. Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted and wait for the
Lord." We are led to prepare for the Eucharist with a listening heart and
encouraged to wait patiently for the forgiving glance of God. The Psalm
does this twice in the last line---hope, wait on the Lord." Amen.