Fresh Perspective
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:1-15 - Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This event of the multiplication of the loaves of bread takes place during the middle of Jesus’ public ministry. But the Church gives this Gospel passage to us to read during Easter time, which takes place at the end of Jesus’ public ministry. What does it have to do with Easter? The Gospel story gives us some hints. One hint is that “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them.” We know that He will do that again at the Last Supper. The Gospel also tells us that the “feast of Passover was near.” Very often the Gospels show Jesus preparing people for something that will happen later. That is what Jesus is doing here.
Everything in Jesus’ public ministry makes better sense when we understand His Death and Resurrection. This Gospel passage certainly does. It takes on a deeper meaning—not only is it a miracle that feeds a hungry crowd, but it is an introduction to the Eucharist. Everything that happens in our life, too, makes better sense when we understand that it is related to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. Life has meaning. Our actions have meaning. Suffering has meaning. Death has meaning. All this, because of Jesus. We must get used to viewing our lives, our choices, our sins, our sacrifices–as relating to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. Because they do!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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