Sunday Scriptures

Today we will examine the richly symbolic account of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes found in John 6:1-15.

When I was in college, I spent summers working as an orderly at the old St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis. One of my duties was to care for an old priest, Father Paschal Kelly.

The Jesus of the Gospels is direct and challenging, even as the words he says are full of truth and light and grace. He is the Prince of Peace, but it is a hard peace, the price of which is too much for many — total surrender to the will of God, a will that includes the forgiveness of enemies, genuine love of the poor and a resolutely humble heart.

With the Most Holy Trinity celebrated May 27, the Church invites us to contemplate one of the central mysteries of the Christian faith: the triunity of God.

It matters not whether the empire is in athletics, business or politics. All worldly kingdoms will come to an end.

Whenever I proclaim the Gospel of John at Mass, it is not uncommon for me to encounter an episode when Jesus makes an “I am” statement. And when I do, I really try to give the words an extra oomph, a little more emphasis: “I AM the bread of life …” “I AM the light of the world …” “I AM the Good Shepherd …” “I AM the resurrection and the life …” “I AM the way and the truth and the life …”

Last Sunday, we heard from John’s Gospel about the resurrection appearance to the disciples in the locked room and specifically about Thomas, who doubted. On this third Sunday of Easter, we have another resurrection appearance from the Gospel of Luke.

A man wanted to challenge his bright 8-year-old. He took a map of the world down from the wall and tore it into many pieces. He called his son into the kitchen and showed the boy the tattered map. He said, “My boy, if you can put this map back together so that the world is one once again, I will give you $20.”