A hunger for truth, beauty and goodness

One of the most striking aspects of participating in the Eucharist – especially as one travels further east and south from Northern Europe – is the prominent role of music, chanting and art in the divine liturgy. A recent spell in Croatia has brought this home to me once again. As we move towards the liturgical solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) this coming weekend, it is worth reflecting on the importance of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of St John. We will hear an extract from this chapter (John 6:51–58) proclaimed next Sunday.

The chapter opens with the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1–15). In this sign given by Jesus – one of the series of seven* signs presented in John’s Gospel -there are already strong overtones of the Eucharist. The Evangelist presents this event in the light of the Church’s Eucharistic faith after the Resurrection. John also notes that the Jewish Passover was near, setting a clear paschal context for the sign. Christ is revealed as the new Passover Lamb, sacrificed for the whole world; He is the true Manna, the Bread from Heaven.

John highlights three actions of Jesus which unmistakably reflect the liturgical pattern of the Church:

1. the taking of the bread
2. the giving of thanks and blessing
3. the distribution of the bread to the hungry

This is not yet the Eucharist, but it is a true sign that prepares for and points toward it. In the verses that follow, Jesus will deepen this teaching with a deliberately challenging message about the Bread of Life. He shifts the focus from the bread given in the desert to something entirely new: He himself is the Bread of Life.

God gives not merely something, but Someone. The abundance of the bread in this miracle prefigures the abundance of God’s grace—freely given, overflowing, and without limit.

In our own day, this vision of a divine banquet may still surprise us. We might be struck both by those who come to be fed and by those who stay away, finding it difficult or even scandalous. Yet people continue to search for meaning, freedom, and joy. Let us not put obstacles in their way. Instead, let us invite them in, nourish them with the Word of God, and trust the Holy Spirit to lead them gently to the next step.

 

* Seven Signs of Jesus (Gospel of John)

John 2:1–11 = Transforming water into wine and signalling God’s power.

John 4:46-54 = Healing the royal official’s son and signalling the power of God’s Word.

John 5:1-15 = Healing the paralytic at Bethesda and signalling Jesus’ authority over illness.

John 6:1-15 =  Feeding the five thousand and signalling God’s providence.

John 6:16-21 = Walking on the water and signalling God’s power over creation.

John 9:1-41  = Healing the man born blind and signalling Jesus to be the Light of the World.

John 11:1-44 = Raising Lazarus from the dead and signalling Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life.