Gospel July 26

John 6:1-21

Only one miracle appears in all four gospels - the feeding of the 5,000. Added to that the Gospel according to John shares only one other miracle/sign with the synoptic gospels. It is the incident that follows his report of the feeding of the five thousand. John 6:19-21 records Jesus walking on the water, a miracle that is also in Matthew 14:25, and Mark 6:48-51.

Each of the gospel writers brings their own perspective and detail to the story. Here we find that Philip ( a Greek name) is identified as the one pointing out the challenge of providing for so many. Another person is named, Andrew, who knows the boy who has brought his lunch - five barley loves and two fish. As with the other Gospels here we find the supernatural nature of Jesus is also made very clear.

Yet John adds some more distinctives. The narrator informs us that Jesus was not searching for a solution. He knew the solution, and his question was a test for Philip (v.6). One must wonder why Jesus would test this man. Philip was from Bethsaida (1:44), and he was the one who invited Nathaniel to 'come and see' Jesus (1:46). Why would this man need to be tested?

Truth is that we know little of this man, but we do know about humanity. Like Philip each of us can benefit from the occasional test. Most of us are probably more 'Philip' than we are 'Andrew'. Despite the fact that some studies suggest 80% of people are more optimistic than pessimistic I think that most of us, when confronted with a huge obstacle would not immediately see a solution. Philip's mind was on the magnitude of the problem, Andrew may well have seen the same thing, yet caught a glimmer of hope because he knew that at least one boy had brought his lunch. We can read his words in the Gospel, but do not hear his tone. We like to read it as hopeful, it could well have been sceptical! What he may have been suggesting is that there was at least something to work with. In keeping with general trends though we will remain optimistic and stick with a positive view about Andrew's response.

When we are faced with huge challenges - be they personal, communal or global - the first thing we need to do is to take stock. What are we faced with? What resources have we got? Now...what can we do?

This seems to be the approach the disciples adopted and, with a little supernatural intervention, there was enough and some left over for the cleaners. It is an approach we could well adopt - so that we do not give up hope even when the obstacles that confront us seem overwhelming. In every situation we must do what we can, and leave the rest up to God.

Perhaps for us the experience of life is a test filled with challenges that seem beyond us, yet as we work together, and seek the help of God, we may find that surprises await.
are able to rise to t

Other readings for this week

2 Sam 11:1-15

Ephesians 3:14-21