Life Giving endeavour

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that Jesus disciples are called to follow Him as channels of Life giving Love.

Bread and Life

In the Acts of the Apostles, Rabbi Gamaliel advises the Sanhedrin that they may be working against God if those preaching Jesus message are inspired by the Spirit.

* [5:36–37] Gamaliel offers examples of unsuccessful contemporary movements to argue that if God is not the origin of this movement preached by the apostles it will perish by itself. The movement initiated by Theudas actually occurred when C. Cuspius Fadus was governor, A.D. 44–46. Luke’s placing of Judas the Galilean after Theudas and at the time of the census (see note on Lk 2:1–2) is an indication of the vagueness of his knowledge of these events.

The large crowd following Jesus in the Gospel of John participates in a sign of Jesus offering to them the Bread of Life in a prefiguring of the Eucharist.

* [6:1–15] This story of the multiplication of the loaves is the fourth sign (cf. note on Jn 5:1–47). It is the only miracle story found in all four gospels (occurring twice in Mark and Matthew). See notes on Mt 14:13–21; 15:32–39. John differs on the roles of Philip and Andrew, the proximity of Passover (Jn 6:4), and the allusion to Elisha (see Jn 6:9). The story here symbolizes the food that is really available through Jesus. It connotes a new exodus and has eucharistic overtones.

Mariana Miller is challenged to trust in the new life that the risen Christ wants to give through the Holy Spirit and resist fighting back to keep control, but being open to the Spirit and being generous in her response.

The Gospel passage of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes to feed those who had even forgotten to eat as they were spending time with Jesus and listening to him, is just a wonderful story of generosity and trust where we are invited to collaborate and share, to offer all that we have in order for all to be able to be fed. Let us pray that we remain open to the Spirit of God that wants to bring new life to us individually, but also to our community through our generous sharing and collaboration so that all can have what they need.

Don Schwager offers questions for us to consider when we approach the Table of the Lord. What do we expect to receive? Healing, pardon, comfort, and rest for your soul?

The Lord has much more for us, more than we can ask or imagine. The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist at the Lord's Table is an intimate union with Jesus Christ, our Divine Healer and Savior. As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist strengthens us in charity and enables us to break with disordered attachments to creatures and to be more firmly rooted in the love of Christ.

Friar Jude Winkler identifies Rabbi Gamaliel and notes the transformation of the apostles who, filled with the Spirit, suffer and give thanks to the Lord. Some of the many connections of Jesus sign with the multiplication of the loaves and fishes to the people, Moses, Psalm 23, poverty and the Eucharist are shared in his commentary.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, today continues the theme of the role of our bodies in contemplative action by introducing Barbara Holmes who reflects on fighting for justice with contemplative practices and activism using the example of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Now, fifty plus years after the CRM, another approach is needed, and the BLMM like the LGBTQIA justice movements are updating the art of contemplative confrontation and noncompliance with the status quo . . . oppression and violence against black bodies. Today, the most respectable image that young protesters can offer is their authenticity, resolute voices, and pride in community and culture. . . . The BLMM uses disruption for transformation rather than the predictable politeness and political compromises that were part of the ordinary negotiations of social activists. . .

Rabbi Gamaliel calls for contemplation about the movement preaching the message of Jesus to discern if the Spirit of God is in their action. The Bread of Life is offered by Jesus to those seeking God who encounter Divine abundance as a response to poverty.

References


(n.d.). Acts, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/acts/5:34

(n.d.). John, chapter 6 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/6

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/