Ever notice how often Scriptures talk about one of my favorite subjects: FOOD? Today we hear about Food. Lots of food. Enough food to feed large gatherings of people, although it doesn’t seem like it at first.
Let’s start with Elisha. In our first reading from the second book of Kings, Elisha takes an offering of 20 barley loaves and a few ears of grain and feeds over 100 people. And, when they are finished eating, there is food left over.
As for our Gospel passage today, well it isn’t often that we see the same story with the same key points echoed all four Gospels, but the story from today’s Gospel is one of the rare occasions where they all agree. They all begin fundamentally the same:
- Jesus leads His disciples away from the crowds (in John today he crosses Sea of Galilee; in Matthew he withdraws in a boat (by himself); in Mark he travels in a boat with his disciples; and in Luke’s version he just withdraws with disciples (no boat).
- At his destination, Jesus preaches (Jn, Mk); heals (Mt); or preaches and heals (Lk)
And in all four:
- There are 5,000 men present.
- All they had to start with are 5 barley loaves and 2 fish, and
- There are 12 baskets of food left over.
Take a moment and let it sink in, because I don’t think we comprehend the significance of the event. Jesus starts with only 5 loaves and a couple of fish, and feeds over 5000 with food left over. It is a sign so important that all 4 evangelists recorded it.
Now, we often hear in Scriptures about food in the context of large, communal gatherings. For example, there’s the manna and quail in the desert that feeds the Israelites for 40 years; there’s the copious amount of wine created out of water at the wedding feast at Cana; and of course, in today’s Gospel we hear about Jesus feeding the 5000. Even in today’s Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 145 – we acknowledge in thanksgiving that it is “The hand of the Lord [that] feeds us; he answers all our needs.”
Food is often used to show God’s providential nature, and as a metaphor for the grace and mercy of God. And in the banquets of our lives, it is God who does the catering.
Those of you who are in the restaurant business, especially those of you involved in catering, know what it takes to host a successful banquet and provide food for a large gathering of people. It takes planning, attention to details, and a good knowledge of the needs of the people who will be served. And those of you who have attended such a gathering know whether or not the caterers succeeded.
And do you know what makes or breaks such an event? Is it the type of food, or how much food there is, or how hot or cold it is? No, none of these. (Well, OK, to be honest, I’ve never known catered food to be served too hot, and cold food CAN be a real turn-off.)
But, the number one element that measures the success or failure of these events is – LOVE. Think about the successful restaurants that you know of. The owners love to serve those who dine there; the staff reflects the love that the management shows to them and to their customers. Servers smile and laugh; they listen and try to help; they care. If there is a problem, management is willing to apologize and tries to make amends BECAUSE it cares.
But if there is no love – if all that the management focuses on is the bottom line, what’s in it for them – if they are more worried about the details of the business than the happiness of those they serve, then the business usually doesn’t last long. Even successful restaurants, if they change hands, can and will fail, if the new management fails to serve their patrons with love.
And love forgives many mistakes. If you have a bad dining experience, but feel that those who serve you really care for you and show that to you in how they serve you – you are far more likely to return and give them a second chance. A measure of their success in showing that love is whether or not they remain in business even after making mistakes.
In a sense, the Catholic Church is the ultimate successful catering business. It has survived really bad reviews and has remained in business for over 2000 years. Why? Because the Church reflects God’s love for us. Because the owner and ultimate manager is God himself. Because at the Banquet of the Lord the most exquisite of all foods is served – the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ – the Eucharist.
You all know that research studies have shown that, despite how often we hear about how the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith, most Christians and even many Catholics do not believe or do not understand what that means. I know. I’ve been there. I think part of it has to do with our expectation that we should experience something – oh, I don’t know, something “DIFFERENT?” – when we receive Jesus.
There are those who “get it”. I see it in their eyes when they come forward for Communion; in the reverence they show it as they receive it; and especially in those who attend Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays here at St. Paul and in other churches as well.
You may know that the 10th National Eucharistic Congress just completed in Indianapolis last week, with almost 60,000 attendees from all over the United States. It was the first National celebration of the Eucharist in 83 years. (The last National Congress was held in the twin cities of Minneapolis / St. Paul in 1941.) Although there have been several International Eucharistic Congresses in various locations around the world, including the 41st International Congress which was held in Philadelphia in 1976, National Congresses are particularly oriented toward the Church in the Americas. The next one National Congress is already be planned for in 2033, the 2,000th anniversary of the Crucifixion. And when it comes to the Eucharist, those in attendance “get it”.
Remember, the most important meal that you will receive today will be served to you in just a few minutes. It is the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, and NO food has ever been served with the love that God the Father, through His Son Jesus, has shown to us gathered here today. And whether or not the “entertainment” portion of this banquet is good or bad; whether there are problems with the service you receive, you KNOW that the meal itself has been provided to you out of God’s infinite love for you, for it is Christ, Himself.
(And, I can promise you that the Eucharist will not be too hot or cold.)
And so, when you come forward to the table of the Lord, even if it only for a blessing, remember – this meal was prepared for you with love. Most importantly, remember that the Eucharist IS LOVE – God’s Love – and with God’s love there is always enough, with plenty left over.
