In this first reading we again
have the Apostles and other disciples preaching. Recall that the Sanhedrin was putting them on
trial with the possibility of death. The
Apostles and disciples had therefore been in jail and mysteriously released,
but we know it was due to heavenly visitors.
Gamaliel was a Doctor of the Law, head of an important rabbinic school,
and member of the Sanhedrin. In
recognition of God’s intervention for the Jewish people throughout their
covenant, Gamaliel recognizes that God may be present here too. He argued that they Apostles should not be
harmed saying, “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.” That which is of
human origin will ultimately parish, but that which is from God will endure.
Truth endures forever. The Apostles, the martyrs, and we seek the
Lord, our Truth, and our refuge, for the Lord is our Light and Our
Salvation. Did he not teach us about
heavenly things? Does he not feed us
with what we need to nourish ourselves?
In today’s Gospel Jesus sits with the others
and the crowds. These are the people who
walked to where he is currently, which the Lord crossed the waters in a boat
with the Apostles. The crowds had
followed him seeking relief from their pains, anxieties, and sicknesses. His
words ease their pains, and his heavenly touch and presence cures their
ills. Asking Philip and Andrew if there
is enough food for all, he is told no.
It is springtime. The Passover is near, and they are with the
Lamb. The loaves and fish are
distributed and it is a miracle, everyone receives and an abundance
remains. This is true of the grace and
blessings of this feast with the Lord, then and now. The Lord invites those seeking him into his
company and provides nourishment at his banquet, providing the food himself
through the Spirit.
It is the same way at Holy Communion when the
Lord invites us to his table. Every time
we receive the Holy Eucharist the Lords blessings and abundant graces are
poured out for us. Christ Jesus is our
Paschal lamb. We are still within the
Easter season celebrating his death and Resurrection. Matthew tells us, “One does not live on bread
alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
Christ came not only to nourish us with bread
and wine, but to feed us with himself: that is the Word of God. The loaves and fishes are a foreshadowing of
what happens in the breaking of the bread at mass. The Holy Eucharist is Christ himself under
the species of bread and wine. The
receiving of the host during the Sacrament of Communion is the outward and
visible sign of that inward and divine spiritual gift, which is God
himself. May we always love the Blessed
Eucharist for what it is, and learn to love being with Christ, the Pascal Lamb
and the newness of life which he gives us through his death and Resurrection. Amen.
