Second Week of Easter

Five barley loaves and two fish. Jn. 6:1-15

The gesture of a young man…

That young man, without a name or face, is going to make possible what seems impossible. His willingness to share all that he has is the way to feed those people. Jesus will do the rest: He takes the young man’s loaves of bread in his hands, gives thanks to God and begins to “distribute” them among all.

The scene is fascinating. A crowd, sitting on the green grass of the field, sharing a free meal on a spring day. It is not a banquet of the rich. There is no wine or meat. It is the simple meal of the people who live by the lake: a fraternal meal served by Jesus to everyone thanks to the generous gesture of a young man.