There is a note of panic in Philip’s voice when he realises the apostles would have to feed the huge crowds that had been following Jesus.  The apostles themselves had no money and no resources to provide what was needed.  Yet out the blue a child appears whose meagre offerings – five small loaves and a couple of dried fish – would result in an extraordinary miracle that would reflect the depth of God’s compassionate love in providing for his people.  It is noted that the miracle occurs close to the feast of Passover, when, among the many events of the Exodus, Jews remember how God provided food for his people through the manna that appeared in the desert.

Through his account of this miracle of Jesus, the evangelist John draws us into the quintessential eucharistic sign:  Jesus gives thanks (to God) and hands the loaves to his disciples to distribute to the crowd.  There is enough for everyone – Jesus, the bread of life, is the one who ‘will satisfy the hungry with good things’.  The initial uncertainty of Philip is transformed into an expression of faith.  Jesus provides all this and more to those who believe.

In the 3^rd century, St Athanasius, in his crusade against Arianism at the time, was a champion of the Divinity of Jesus.  It is no coincidence then that our gospel today highlights this very fact:  Jesus is not only ‘the prophet who is to come into the world’ but he is ‘God with us’.

by Gerry Crooks