Today, I want to do some teaching about the gospel story that we just heard. This is the only miracle of Jesus (besides the resurrection) that is recorded in all four gospels; none of the others is mentioned in all four.
I need three volunteers. [Invite them up. Choose one to represent Jesus and another to represent Moses. The third will be defined later.]
There is a direct parallel of Jesus and Moses. So there is a mention, here in John’s version that the Jewish feast of Passover was near. Now remember, Passover is the yearly remembrance of the meal that Moses and the gang ate before they left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea.
[Have the Jesus and Moses volunteers hold up their arms. I apply large, colored Post-It notes on each person with the words. Same color for Jesus and Moses.]
Jesus Moses
crosses the sea crosses the sea
a big crowd follows him a big crowd follows him
why? because he performed a sign why? because he performed a sign
of healing the sick of splitting the water
goes up a mountain to teach disciples goes up the mountain to instruct with 10 commandments
provides bread provides manna
So why are there so many references to Moses and the Exodus? Because people were still stuck on Moses being their savior (he led the Jewish people from slavery to a new life). Now, we have a new Savior (THE Savior), who is leading us to a new exodus, a new journey from slavery to new life.
leads to Kingdom of God leads to Promised Land
this is not just at end of time,
but here/now
Now the cool aspect is that Jesus’s action parallels what we do with the Eucharist. [Have the third volunteer to be named as Eucharist. Use a different large color Post-It note for Jesus and Eucharist.]
Jesus Eucharist
takes bread takes bread (priest’s action in Eucharist)
(barley bread, which is the common food (Eucharist NOT for rich and “know it alls”)
of the poor and simple. Catholic social
teaching reminds us that in all our
actions we must be mindful of the poor
blesses the bread (give thanks) blesses the bread (Eucharistic prayer)
(even with so little Jesus gives thanks) (we can always complain for what we don’t have
Euch reminds us to be thankful for what we do
have)
breaks the bread (implied w distributing) breaks bread (at Lamb of God)
(life isn’t always easy or smooth, sometimes it feels as
we are being broken/pulled apart. That is exactly when God steps in. E.g. at your most fragile times, I will not leave you hungry, along.
Have hope.)
Now notice at the beginning of the story, the disciples want to send people away. Jesus wants to bring them in. Think of how many times, people want to send people away from the Eucharist . .
for example, “You don’t belong, You are not worth. You didn’t do it right.”
Our former Bishop, John Kinney, made national news when asked about giving Communion to those who shouldn’t receive . . . e.g. those living together, or had a child out of wedlock, gay relationships.
He reminded us that before we receive the Eucharist we say, “Lord, I am not worthy for you to enter under my roof . . “ We don’t say, “Lord, she is not worthy. And he is not worthy.” We only say “I.”
gives the bread gives the Eucharist
I believe that by receiving the multiplied bread, grace happened. And that the crowd following Jesus were changed. They were not the same, because of what occurred. The same thing can happen with us. Grace is the result of our receiving the Eucharist.
Here’s an example. Remember the recent debate about taking down the Confederate flag in South Carolina? Well it was filled with outrage about the flag as a symbol of slavery, segregation and white supremacy. And even when a disturbed white racist young man killed nine worshippers at a black church in Charlotte, South Carolina with videos of himself with the Confederate flag. . . that didn’t change much.
It wasn’t until the relatives of those slain victims bestowed forgiveness on that young man as he appeared in court . . . and black and white residents of Charlotte marched together. Not rioting, not continuing the “chain of hate” and “we need revenge mentality” . . . but walking peacefully in grief and solidarity, Hence an “act of grace”
Eucharist happened. Grace was stronger than hate. And the Confederate Flag came down in South Carolina. Grace occurred. How does grace need to break into your life? What are the things that you need to change and allow this Eucharist to occur?