The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to rise to the challenge to be the “bread of life” in our environment as a sign and ministry of Jesus’ Way to fullness of Life.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Gamaliel offers examples of unsuccessful contemporary movements.
* [5:34] Gamaliel: in Acts 22:3, Paul identifies himself as a disciple of this Rabbi Gamaliel I who flourished in Jerusalem between A.D. 25 and 50.
* [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. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 27 asserts “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3).
* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John presents the Sign of Jesus Multiplication of the Loaves.
* [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.
* [6:1] [Of Tiberias]: the awkward apposition represents a later name of the Sea of Galilee. It was probably originally a marginal gloss.
* [6:5] Jesus takes the initiative (in the synoptics, the disciples do), possibly pictured as (cf. Jn 6:14) the new Moses (cf. Nm 11:13).
* [6:6] Probably the evangelist’s comment; in this gospel Jesus is never portrayed as ignorant of anything.
* [6:7] Days’ wages: literally, “denarii”; a Roman denarius is a day’s wage in Mt 20:2.
* [6:9] Barley loaves: the food of the poor. There seems an allusion to the story of Elisha multiplying the barley bread in 2 Kgs 4:42–44.
* [6:10] Grass: implies springtime, and therefore Passover. Five thousand: so Mk 6:39, 44 and parallels.
* [6:13] Baskets: the word describes the typically Palestinian wicker basket, as in Mk 6:43 and parallels.
* [6:14] The Prophet: probably the prophet like Moses (see note on Jn 1:21). The one who is to come into the world: probably Elijah; cf. Mal 3:1, 23. (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Candice Tucci, OSF, comments that so many people find themselves in harm’s way for many reasons. Life is precious. We rely on HOPE, seek peace, and the end to violence. The Resurrection of Jesus reminds us of our provident God, who wishes only life, and that life may be continued on earth and afterwards in the loving embrace of God.
As the apostles were flogged, there was pain. While there were many hungry people, and still are, we are fed by Jesus, the Bread of Life. Consider the many people who work to feed the hungry in Ukraine or Gaza. Good people provide in our neighborhoods, providing food pantries and kitchens, as well as tending to the food deserts of our country--world. God never leaves us. God is always Emmanuel; God is with us as we live in Jesus. The Cross tells us He is with us in our sufferings. The Resurrection reveals to us that there is Hope and Love in Christ, who is Life Everlasting. (Tucci, n.d.)
Theologian Elizabeth Johnson says it this way from her book, The Cross and Creation:
“…the living God, gracious and merciful, always was, is and will be accompanying the world with saving grace, including humans in their sinfulness, and humans and all creatures in their unique beauty, evolutionary struggle, and inevitable dying…”.
…“The cross of Jesus is a revelation of the depth of God’s love, entering into the suffering of the world… not to satisfy a debt, but to accompany and redeem.”
God provides all the time. We need to do our part. Challenge the “Sanhedrin” and never stop being, doing, teaching, witnessing, and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus, no matter what the cost. (Tucci, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “God enables us, by Leo the Great,” 400-461 A.D.
"In rendering service to the grace of God, we are not only made subject to our King through obedience but are even joined to him through the will. If we are of one mind with him (willing what he wills, disapproving of what he disapproves), he himself will bring us victory in all our battles. He who has given the 'will' will bestow also the ability. In this way can we 'cooperate' with his works, speaking that prophetic utterance in the exultation of faith: 'The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?'" (excerpt from Sermon 26,4,2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 6:1-15 comments that when we consider the magnitude of the needs that we see in the world, the Church, our neighborhoods, and our families. “What good” can we do about them? Our resources aren’t enough to meet all the needs, and we might feel overwhelmed. But remember, Jesus already knows what he is going to do in each of these situations.
He is inviting you to participate in his work, not do it all yourself. Like Andrew, you can give what you have and watch Jesus use it. How?
Start small; do what you can do. Like Andrew, offer Jesus a concrete, practical step that you can take to work toward healing, reconciliation, or relief. Remember, Jesus knows what he’s doing, and he is perfectly capable of multiplying whatever you offer him.
“Jesus, I lay all these tragedies at your feet. Show me today how I can cooperate with you.” (Meditation on John 6:1-15, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the passage Acts, from yesterday, the Sanhedrin was furious. Rabbi Gamaliel gives examples of people who had their movements fall apart and notes that if it is from God they cannot act against it, if not it will fall apart. Gamaliel, was a wise teacher of Paul at this time. The multiplication, in John’s Gospel, occurs once. Matthew and Mark proclaim the multiplication twice for Jews and Gentiles. In John, the three Passovers are mentioned, and this identifies Jesus' ministry of three years. (Two years and a weekend are recognized in Jewish tradition of the part as representing the whole as three years) In John’s Gospel, the followers really don’t get it that Jesus has a knowledge beyond their understanding. There are 5 loaves and 2 wishes resonating with the perfect number, 7. Jesus takes the perfect and makes it better. Jesus and makes up for our lack. The resonance of green grass to Psalm 23 in verdant passage and beside restful waters and the instruction to “Gather up the fragments “ is repeated in early liturgical tests. The breaking of the bread as a prefiguring of the Eucharist. This is a prefiguring word in Greek for “Eucharist”. Friar Jude comments that they want to make him a king but this “sign” points to a greater reality of Jesus to heal the greatest hunger of our hearts.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Brian McLaren who reflects on how contemplation and community enable him to live according to the values of the kingdom of God. The journey to sovereignty of mind requires an inward migration, where we in a sense become refugees from our external nation, culture, economy, and civilization, even though we still live within its borders. We withdraw inwardly… Alexis Wright speaks of this inward migration. Jesus described the innermost room of your consciousness (Matthew 6:6), where you go to think differently, to sort out your desires and hopes authentically. When you learn how to do that inward migration, that spiritual migration, you find yourself looking for others who have also gone there, who have discovered freedom and sovereignty of mind.
[Jesus said,] “Wherever two or three of you gather in my name, there I am,” and [we] might understand him to say, “Listen, I understand that you are outnumbered. I understand that so many people around you have been sucked into the story of ugliness. I understand that you are learning to live by a different story where beauty abounds. You don’t need me physically present to tell the beautiful story. You can tell it yourselves. Even just two or three of you can gather together, embodying my way of being in the world. You can be cells of resistance, outposts of transformation, seedbeds of beauty.”
That is the best future I can imagine for organized religion in these dangerous times. Instead of helping nostalgic people inhabit bubbles of the past, religious communities can help people go forward on this inward migration toward sovereignty of mind, where in defiance of a rising level of ugliness, people cultivate beauty… seeing it, creating it, savoring it. Savoring beauty within will lead to beautiful outward action. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the guidance of the Spirit as we work to resist the negativity and division of contemporary culture and invite all we encounter to sit in the green grass of Psalm 23 and accept the food we need from the Good Shepherd.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/5?
John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?1
Meditation on John 6:1-15. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/17/1545322/
Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?
Rohr, R. (n.d.). An Inward Migration. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/an-inward-migration/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Miraculous Sign of Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
Tucci, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-17-2026
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