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17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 29, 2012 (2 Kings 4:42-44; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15) For the

next five weeks we will take Gospel readings from the Gospel according to John, probably because Marks Gospel is too short to cover the entire liturgical year. It also offers a chance to reflect on the Bread of life discourse which John 6 offers for our consideration. The Old Testament link with this theme is the tale of Elisha, the man of God, who succeeded Elijah as a prophet of the Lord in ninth century BC Israel. The village of Baal Shalishah was near Samaria, the capital city of Israel. The incident of Elisha feeding the people is clearly part of the backdrop for the New Testament feeding of the multitudes, as in todays Gospel. The servant doubts that loaves will be enough to feed the people. Elisha asserts firmly that it will suffice. The one hundred who are fed is comparatively small when viewed against the New Testament feeding; but the important thing is that the prophet speaks with confidence of the Lord feeding the people and there is even some left over, as the Lord had said. This remark must mean in connection with what the Lord had said to Elisha somewhere, though not explicitly stated. Some commentators note the lack of the miraculous in the story, noting that the twenty loaves was enough to feed them because of the extra grain in the ear. But that makes little sense unless the grain meant some kind of fruit. The bottom line is that despite the servants objection, all the people ate and were satisfied because there was some left over, a point not lost on the Gospel writers. All four Gospels record the feeding of a multitude but each has a slightly different rendering. This is the only miracle (or sign) mentioned in all four gospels. Johns unique details include Jesus ascending a mountain (although it was probably a hill; the Greek word could mean hill or mountain). The mention of Passover being near is

also unique to John. Because he does not include an institution of the Eucharist scene at the Last Supper, this mention of Passover makes that link. John mentions Philip and Andrew among the disciples whereas the Synoptic Gospels mention no one by name except Jesus. John also identifies the available bread as barley loaves. The fish he mentions uses a specific Greek word (opsarion) which means little (dried) fish. The Synoptics all use the Greek word ixthus which is a generic word for fish. So they say in essence we have five barley breads and two little dried fish; but what good are these among so many? Curiously only the men are counted in all four versions of this scene. There is no explanation as to why women and children were not included in the count. All four scenes mention the giving thanks. In John, Jesus passes the bread and fish around himself. In the Synoptics the disciples do so. Only John remarks that this is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world. That could be a veiled reference to Elijah, who was supposed to return from heaven before the Messiah came. Or it could be some veiled reference to Moses who also fed the people. Only John records a reaction by the crowds that they want to make him a king. All the gospels note that there was abundant food left over (twelve full baskets). That suggests the abundance of the food provided, especially because they had had their fill. It also suggests that a lot can be done with a little. If there are to be leftovers it is up to us to see that it happens. Fr. Lawrence Hummer

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