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Gospel Reflection – Monday, May 5, 2025
The people are looking for Jesus. They had eaten for free. They had eaten plenty. Considering that most people at that time lived in poverty, it makes sense that they were looking for Him. Jesus promised life. Maybe not fullness of life just yet, but at least He made survival a little easier. And that was reason enough. Even today, we should think of the many people in our world—surely millions—for whom life is simply about getting enough to make it to tomorrow. Just surviving. Nothing more. That alone should make us reflect.
But when they finally find Jesus, something strange happens in the conversation. They don’t understand how He managed to get to the other side of the lake. That surprises them. Even more surprising is Jesus’ answer. He knows they are looking for Him because they ate—because, to put it simply, “they filled their bellies.” But Jesus wants them to see beyond the material act of eating. What He did by multiplying the loaves and fish was more than just giving out food. It was meant to be a sign—pointing to something greater and more important.
He wanted to offer a different kind of food. A food we don’t need to search for every day. A food that gives fullness of life, eternal life—Life with a capital L. And Jesus is the one who gives that food.
Here begins a teaching about the Eucharist—that reality/ritual/sacrament/celebration which is the heart of the Church’s life. The Eucharist expresses the Church’s deepest identity. It’s like a diamond with many sides: no matter how you look at it, it always shines with richness and beauty that never runs out.
We’ll need to pay close attention to the Gospels in the coming days. They’ll invite us to reflect on the Eucharist. Of course, we won’t be able to grasp all its depth—because that’s nearly impossible. One important note: we must read these Gospels and approach the Eucharist with eyes of faith. We need to believe in the One God has sent in order to truly see and discover the unsearchable richness of every Eucharist.