READ
Jn 6:24-35
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
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UNDERSTAND | By Father Greg Friedman, OFM
Broadway Danny Rose is a Woody Allen film that depicts a talent agent& whose struggling and hapless clients are the entertainment acts nobody wants to hire. But Danny cares for them like a family, and tries his best to find them work. In the movie’s most touching scene, he invites all of them to a Thanksgiving dinner consisting largely of TV dinners. The meal is nevertheless a celebration of love that goes beyond the meager fare.
Today’s Gospel continues our five-week selection from the sixth chapter of John, where Jesus is portrayed as the “Bread of Life.” Jesus has just fed a crowd of hungry people with a few loaves of bread and some fish, but the people misunderstand the sign, focusing only on getting something to eat. Jesus wants them to look beyond the earthly food to “the food that endures for eternal life.”
A popular Eucharistic song of some years ago urged us to “look beyond” the physical signs of bread and wine we receive at Eucharist, to our Lord and Savior who is present there. What are our expectations as we gather each week for Mass? We may find fault with the music, the homily, the behavior of the neighbor’s children, but our faith tells us that this is the place we are to be fed and healed and forgiven.
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DISCUSS | By Father Dan Kroger, OFM
In the first reading (Ex 16;2-4, 12-15), what complaint did the community make to Moses and his brother Aaron?
Did the Lord do something to answer the people’s complaints?
When the people saw the manna did they know that this was a gift from God?
According the second reading (Eph 4:17, 20-24), what is the main thing in Paul’s instructions for the people in Ephesus?
What is the difference between “the old self” and “the new self?”
In this week’s Gospel (Jn 6:24-35), after Jesus had multiplied the loaves why were the people looking for him?
The crowds said to Jesus, “Our ancestors ate manna in the dessert, what can you do?” What were they looking for?
Finally, what did Jesus then tell the people?
ACT
Collect some food for your local food pantry.
During Mass this week, try to tune out all the noise in your head and focus on the true meaning of why you are there.
