Sunday 28 July 2024
When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” (v. 12)
Background
In the West our supermarkets are overflowing with food. There is a wide variety on offer, and also a big problem with waste throughout the food production and consumer cycle.
Our reading today is about an occasion when Jesus provided a superabundance of food for a large crowd of people, from a very small picnic. When all had eaten he was concerned to gather up what was left, so that there would be no waste.
There are stories of Jesus feeding thousands in all four gospels, and it is the only story to appear in all of them. John’s version is rather different. John’s Gospel was written later than the others, when the Early Church had begun to reflect on the life and ministry of Jesus, forming tradition and ritual, and making more connections with the Hebrew scripture. John focuses on a select number of stories in which he sees a ‘sign’: an indication of the nature of Jesus. In this case it’s Jesus as 'the Bread of Life', and John creates special linking references. He mentions Passover (v. 4), the Festival of the Jews which commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. This was the night on which Jesus shared his final supper with his disciples, which then became the model for our Communion. When Jesus gave thanks for the bread in this story, the word used is ‘eucharist’. It means thanksgiving, which is one of the titles for the sharing of bread and wine in church.
Only in John’s Gospel do we meet the boy with the loaves and fish. The vocabulary used emphasises how small these picnic items were and that they were the food of the poor. They were something apparently insignificant that provided a feast.
To Ponder:
- How good are you at using up leftovers to create new meals? Is there anything you can do to reduce your food wastage?
- John saw ‘signs’ in the stories of Jesus’ life. What ‘signs’ of the nature and action of God have you seen recently in the events and people around you?
Prayer
Bread of Life, nourishing, nurturing Lord, feed us with enough; show us where we might share what we have with others; and keep us from wasting what could be saved. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Pamela Cram
Pamela worked in several circuits and ecumenical posts in Wales before retiring in the Swansea Valley, where she is involved in a non-denominational community project; a church partnership with a Welsh independent church; and action for Fairtrade.