Homily Third Tuesday of Easter (John 6:35) “Fresh Bread Anyone?”
Homily Third Tuesday of Easter (John 6:35) “Fresh Bread Anyone?”
Which Gospel does not have a Eucharistic institution narrative? Three of the Gospels do, and one does not. If you answered that John’s Gospel does not have an institution narrative, you would be correct. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell of Jesus consecrating bread and wine at the last supper. John does not. In John we have the story of the washing of the feet.
John does not have an institution narrative, but there still is a lot of Eucharistic Theology in John’s Gospel. In chapter six of John, we have what is called the “Bread of Life” discourse. We read from that sermon most of this week at Mass.
What leads into that sermon if it is not placed at the Last Supper? What leads to Jesus’ explanation of Eucharist is the story of the multiplication of the loaves. After Jesus feeds the people, they pursue him. They are hungry and want more food. Jesus is better than a fast-food restaurant. But the people have misunderstood what the bread Jesus gives to them is all about.
If we were to ask the typical Catholic where we can find a Eucharistic story, we probably would all say that we need only look at the Last Supper. But there are other Eucharistic moments. One of them would be when Jesus multiplied the loaves.
Jesus begins his instruction on Eucharist by reminding the crowds, who come to him looking for something to eat, that Moses had bread rain down from heaven. The Israelites ate that bread when they were in the desert, but they became hungry again.
Jesus tells those who are looking for bread that he will give them food that will never run out. They will eat this bread and it will satisfy them always. Do we hunger for the Eucharist? We are blessed to eat this bread and Jesus will tell us more about it as he shares more of his sermon tomorrow.
Reflection Questions:
- Do I see other Eucharistic stories in the scriptures besides the story of the Last Supper? Where are they?
- Was Jesus bread superior to Moses’ Manna? In what ways?
Dear Parishioners,
I have written to you before about how we are trying to get our pastoral care program running again. This is very hard to do.
We are starting to get requests from a few people in long term care facilities asking when we will come and visit. I would remind people that every facility has different protocols. With some we might be able to walk in and visit. With most independent living, assisted living and nursing home facilities we must be invited in.
We are willing to visit, but the resident must talk to the administers of the facility and request that we come. The facility will then call us. If there is no request by a resident, we could go to visit and be turned away. Fr. Matthew and I would like to know that when we make a trip, we can complete our visit.
It would be nice if we could visit several people rather than run back and forth. This is what we did pre-COVID. Because of this, we will have to wait until things are safer and we can’t be very efficient. I hope people understand the strictures we are working under. We go when we are called and can enter.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark