John 6:1-15
In his book. Eating Together: Becoming One, Tom O’Loughlin examines the many ways in which meals feature in the Gospels. He lays alongside the Scriptural story our human experience of gathering and sharing food. He suggests that there is a particular grammar at work in meals. When we invite people for a meal the understanding is that everyone will eat. In the event of there not being enough food it would be usual for the host and or family to hold back. We know this grammar, it doesn’t have to be taught.
John’s Gospel begins with a celebratory meal for a wedding at Cana. The unthinkable happens and the wine runs out. Jesus intervenes. The grammar of meals is intact. The Gospel also ends with a meal, this time on the shores of Lake Tiberias. Jesus, the host, has already provided bread and fish and to this he adds fish which the disciples have caught. The grammar of meals is certainly intact.
Today’s Gospel text is a meal on the grandest of scales. Miraculously those five loaves and two fish feed a multitude. There can be no doubt, the grammar of meals is intact. In John’s schema this miracle shows Christ’s glory and is the prelude to the lengthy Bread of Life discourse. For us the story is heavy with meaning. We hear the Eucharistic resonance as Jesus takes, gives thanks and shares.
How can you be open to the Eucharist resonances in the meals you share?