Reflection: John 6:1-15

Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter – John 6:1-15

Today we hear the familiar Gospel of the multiplications of the loaves and the fishes. When Jesus decided to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, many people followed him. They had seen the signs that Jesus had performed and they were awestruck and intrigued. They desired to know more about Jesus.

When Jesus arrived at the shore, he went up on a mountain and sat down with his disciples. Jesus simply may have desired some time with his friends. However, Jesus looked up and he saw a large crowd of people coming toward him. Jesus asked Philip: “Where can we buy enough food for this many people?” Philip told Jesus that 200 days worth of wages would not buy enough food to feed this large crowd of people!

Then Andrew told Jesus that one boy had five loaves of barley bread and two fish. This young boy was willing to share his food! Five loaves of bread and fish might feed 2 or 3 people! However, what were they to do about feeding the rest of the crowd? The situation was impossible!

Jesus tells the disciples to have the people sit down. John writes that there were 5000 men. And they also needed food for the women and children. This was a huge crowd to feed. Eventually the disciples had everyone seated. At that point, Jesus took the five loaves of bread, gave thanks and blessed them. He once again gave thanks and blessed the fish. Then the disciples distributed the fish and bread. Surprisingly they had more than enough food! When everyone had eaten, they filled 12 baskets with the leftovers. Talk about a miracle! How did that happen? When the people saw the miracle that Jesus had done, the people believed! They said: “This truly is the Prophet, the One we have been waiting and longing for.”

What is your need? What are you hungry for? What is your lack? Do you truly believe that Jesus will provide you with what you need? Do you trust that Jesus will satisfy your hunger, your longing? When we are in great need, it is difficult to trust that our needs will be met. However, Jesus will not fail us! Will we trust Jesus to satisfy our hungers?