{"id":321,"date":"2013-06-08T11:50:07","date_gmt":"2013-06-08T11:50:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/?p=321"},"modified":"2014-12-18T11:25:20","modified_gmt":"2014-12-18T11:25:20","slug":"commentary20130602","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/commentary20130602\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on Corpus Christi Feast 2nd June 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

LUKE 09 \u2014 11\u201317<\/strong><\/p>\n

Corpus Christi<\/strong>, Year C<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TEXT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Setting<\/strong><\/p>\n

11 Jesus welcomed the crowd and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those who had need of healing. <\/em><\/p>\n

Disciples: \u2018Dismiss crowds\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

12 Now the day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, \u201cSend the crowd away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a lonely place.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus: Double command<\/strong><\/p>\n

13 But he said to them, \u201cYou give them something to eat.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

They said, \u201cWe have no more than five loaves and two fish \u2014 unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.\u201d 14 For there were about five thousand men.<\/em><\/p>\n

And he said to his disciples, \u201cMake them sit down in companies, about fifty each.\u201d 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. <\/em><\/p>\n

Bread multiplied<\/strong><\/p>\n

16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. <\/em><\/p>\n

Super abundance<\/strong><\/p>\n

17 And all ate and were satisfied. And they took up what was left over, twelve baskets of broken pieces. <\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

EXPLANATION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other than the Resurrection this is the only miracle common to the four Evangelists. Matthew and Mark repeat it once each, making a total of six accounts. (Mk. 6: 34\u201344; Mk. 8: 1\u201310; Mt. 14: 13\u201321; Mt. 15: 32\u201339; Lk. 9: 11\u201317; Jn. 6: 1\u201313.).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

10 Jesus welcomed the crowds and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those who had need of healing. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJesus welcomed the crowds<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Luke is the only evangelist who mentions that Jesus welcomed the crowds. When Jesus sent the apostles on their first preaching mission he had forewarned them that they might not be received (welcomed) by some people in various places (Lk. 9: 5). Here he shows that he does not treat people the way they might treat him. He welcomes everyone with the same love, both the good and the bad, the saint and the sinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cand spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those who had need of healing<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This is a summary of the two main aspects of Jesus Galilean ministry, preaching and healing. That was the mission of the apostles on their first missionary assignment, a replica of Jesus\u2019 mission (Lk. 9: 2, 6).<\/p>\n

The Mass repeats this by first, the Liturgy of the Word which is about the Kingdom of God, and then the Liturgy of the Eucharist.<\/p>\n

Jesus \u201ccured those in need of healing<\/em>\u201d. Too often we confine our understanding of healing to sickness of the body or mind. We neglect the most important healing, that of the sick soul. The word \u2018salvation\u2019 means \u2018healing\u2019. The Father sent Jesus to bring salvation to the world. This he did by his death and resurrection. This is re\u2013enacted in every Mass which brings us this salvation, healing.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

12 Now the day began to wear away and the twelve came and said to him, \u201cSend the crowd away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a lonely place.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNow the day began to wear away<\/em>\u201d \u2014 It as late evening. The Last Supper was a late evening meal.<\/p>\n

\u201cand the twelve came and said to him, \u201cSend the crowd away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a lonely place<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Twelve initiate this miracle.<\/p>\n

Verse 10 said that Jesus took the Twelve to \u201ca town called Bethsaida<\/em>\u201d. In this current verse 12 the Twelve say \u201cwe are here in a lonely place<\/em>\u201d. They are somewhere near the town, in a deserted place because the Twelve refer to sending them \u201cinto the villages and country round about<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

13 But he said to them, \u201cYou give them something to eat.\u201d They said, \u201cWe have no more than five loaves and two fish \u2014 unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.\u201d 14 For there were about five thousand men.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBut he said to them, \u2018You give them something to eat<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 These words are neither a suggestion nor a wish but an imperative. He is telling the apostles what to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey said, \u201cWe have no more than five loaves and two fish \u2014 unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.\u201d For there were about five thousand men<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The apostles reply that it is impossible for them to supply so much food and they imply that they do not have sufficient money for so many.<\/p>\n

\u201cLoaves\u201d in New Testament times would not be the same size or shape as \u201cloaves\u201d that we are accustomed to. In those days they were quite small, thin and broke easily. The head of the family usually broke them at table and distributed them among the family and guests. We will see in verse 16 that this is what Jesus did and it was during this breaking of the loaves of bread that the miracle took place.<\/p>\n

Men are mentioned though not women or children. The custom was for men to eat by themselves and the women and children would eat separately. That is why only the number of men is given. Any mention of the number of women and children would be mere conjecture on the part of people who were not there.<\/p>\n

Even though \u201cfive<\/em>\u201d is common, there does not seem to be any discernible connection between \u201cfive loaves<\/em>\u201d, \u201cfive thousand men<\/em>\u201d and \u201cgroups of fifty<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

And he said to his disciples, \u201cMake them sit down in companies, about fifty each.\u201d 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he said to his disciples, \u201cMake them sit down in companies, about fifty each.\u201d And they did so, and made them all sit down<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This scene recalls the feeding of the Israelites during the exodus when in their hunger they were fed from heaven with manna (Ex.16: 4\u201336).<\/p>\n

It also recalls Elisha feeding one hundred men: \u201cA man came from Baal\u2013shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, \u2018Give it to the people and let them eat\u2019. But his servant said, \u2018How can I set this before a hundred people?\u2019 So he repeated, \u2018Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, \u201cThey shall eat and have some left\u201d\u2018\u201c He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord<\/em>\u201d (II Kgs. 4: 42\u201344).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The four actions of Jesus, \u201ctaking\u2026 blessed\u2026 broke\u2026 gave<\/em>\u201d are mentioned in identical sequence by all four evangelists and also at the meal with the two disciples at Emmaus (Lk. 24: .30). Luke describes the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper as follows, \u201cThen he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks <\/em>[blessed<\/em>, a blessing is an act of thanksgiving], he broke it and gave it to them, saying, \u201cThis is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke links the multiplication of the loaves and fish with the sacrifice of the cross by immediately following with Peter\u2019s act of faith in the Messiah and then the first prediction of Jesus\u2019 Passion and Death, followed by a description of the conditions necessary to follow Christ: \u201cIf any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 9: 23).<\/p>\n

This act of Jesus giving the bread that was broken to the disciples for distribution is a lesson in service: \u201cA dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, \u2018The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves<\/em>\u2019\u201d. (Lk. 22: 24\u201327).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

17 And all ate and were satisfied. And they took up what was left over, twelve baskets of broken pieces. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd all ate and were satisfied. And they took up what was left over, twelve baskets of broken pieces<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The number \u201ctwelve<\/em>\u201d can indicate an abundance of food left over after \u201call\u2026 were satisfied<\/em>\u201d or it might mean that each of the Twelve apostles collected a basket.<\/p>\n

The Greek word for \u201cbroken pieces<\/em>\u201d or fragments is a technical word in later Church use for small particles of Communion.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

APPLICATION<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Who is Jesus in this passage?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just two verses before the present episode Herod asked the question about Jesus, \u201cWho is this?<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 9: 9). The current passage is a reply to that question.<\/p>\n

We are told five things about Jesus. First, he is a sincerely welcoming person<\/strong>. His welcome is not a mere few words of pleasant greeting. He is deeper than that. He accepts people, no matter who they may be, whether he knows them personally or not. He spends time with them, trying to fulfil their needs, those they are conscious of and those they may not be aware of. Some wanted to know him better; others needed help. He sets about answering their inner requirements.<\/p>\n

The second thing<\/strong> that we are told about is that Jesus is a preacher<\/strong> who knows what people really need to be aware of. This crowd came to hear him preach and he chose the subject, the Kingdom of God. \u201cHe spoke to them of the kingdom of God<\/em>\u201d. For Jesus this was, and continues to be a priority. It is most unlikely that many, if any of them, would have asked him about this. Yet nothing could be more fundamental than their final destination and their need to follow \u201cJesus, the Way\u201d. To belong to the Kingdom of God means to share Jesus\u2019 life, to follow his style of living and to be one with him in all things. This is his guarantee of abiding with him for eternity.<\/p>\n

Thirdly, he cures those who need healing.<\/strong> This would have been the great \u2018drawing card\u2019 for many, perhaps most. They certainly would have been aware of this need. There was the added advantage that Jesus did not charge for healing.<\/p>\n

Fourthly, he nourishes people abundantly<\/strong>. As evening advanced the Twelve wanted Jesus to \u2018close shop\u2019 and send the crowd away. However, part of his welcoming was to offer them something to eat to strengthen them for their journey. The Twelve took it for granted that this was not their responsibility and took the easy way out by suggesting that the crowd be dismissed. Jesus the host did not agree. His view was that the Twelve should feed them. They saw themselves as having nothing and therefore of being incapable of doing anything to relieve their hunger. The Welcoming Host ordered them to feed the crowd. He took their little treasure of five loaves and two fish and satisfied five thousand men, not counting women and children, with twelve baskets of \u2018left\u2013overs\u2019.<\/p>\n

There is the very obvious lesson in this. Jesus is willing to assist us in all ways but he wants us to play our part by doing what we can from our meagre resources. If we contribute our share, he will contribute his. In this gesture of the multiplication, he continues his preaching without using words. His communication is clear, indeed excellent.<\/p>\n

Fifthly,<\/strong> by his preaching and healing Jesus shows us how he loves us, indeed all people,<\/strong> particularly those in need be this spiritual or material.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Eucharist<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a clear reference to the Eucharist in the words \u201cAnd taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Knowing that Jesus had been talking about the Kingdom of God, there is another clear reference in this feeding scene to the Messianic Banquet which describes the happiness of heaven (Lk. 22: 30). That is symbolised and anticipated in the Eucharist which we celebrate in the Sacrifice of the Mass and in the sacrament of Holy Communion. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. By it we celebrate, that is make present, our salvation won for us on the Cross and which prepares us to live with God forever in the Kingdom of Heaven. The Eucharist is the greatest sign of Jesus\u2019 love for us.<\/p>\n

Salvation is healing, the healing of our souls. This is an aspect of our celebration of the Eucharist which we ought not to forget. By it we are strengthened and nourished in and for our journey through this life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LUKE 09 \u2014 11\u201317 Corpus Christi, Year C \u00a0 TEXT Setting 11 Jesus welcomed the crowd and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those who had need of healing. Disciples: \u2018Dismiss crowds\u2019 12 Now the day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, \u201cSend the crowd<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-321","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=321"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/321\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":658,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/321\/revisions\/658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}