Homily: Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter - Miracle of Multiplication

Having read through the entirety of Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus from chapter 3 of St. John's Gospel over the past four days, we now begin a week long reading of John Chapter 6. St. John's sixth chapter is comprised of two miracle stories—the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and Jesus walking on the water—and the great Bread of Life discourse. I encourage you to read and reflect on the entire chapter to get a sense of what's coming over the next 8 days.

Word is spreading about Jesus' miracles. It is now almost impossible for Him to avoid crowds of people following Him in their desire to witness His miracles. Although John highlights only 7 public signs/miracles performed by Jesus, St. John tells us that Jesus worked many miracles—as we know from the other Gospel writers. St. John chose 7 public signs as representative of Jesus' many miracles and because they illustrate certain facets of the mystery of Jesus the Messiah.

What does the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves reveal about Jesus and what does it have to do with our Easter renewal of faith?

For the past few days we've heard Jesus talk about the importance of believing in Him that we may have eternal life. This miracle story seems to answer the question, “what kind of life does Jesus offer?”. “What kind of life does Jesus offer?” Abundant life. In the miracle of the multitude he takes the little that is possessed by the few and transforms it into a feast for the multitude. What is brought to him, is multiplied and shared.

The message of this story isn't that God gives us free lunches, but shows that God is generous, he has concern for us, and calls us to bring that little that we have to Him to be transformed, that it may blessed and shared.

For the neophytes baptized at Easter, this might mean learning to bring your time, talent, and treasure to God for the first time. For us veteran Catholics it might mean bringing parts of our lives to God which we have never brought to him before or getting involved in a new type of volunteer work or charitable service, adopting a new devotion, or reading the writings of a saint or pope which you've never read before.

Easter faith means encountering God anew, and allowing him to make us anew, to transform us, bless us, and share us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.