REFLECTIONS TODAY The Greek term monai (singular, mone), here rendered as “dwelling places,” is related to the verb menein, which means “to stay, remain, or abide with.” By mone, John refers to the place (state or situation) where the disciples can abide with the Father and with Jesus....
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Synoptic Gospels tell us nothing of Philip, except that he is one of the Twelve. In John, however, he is given more prominence. Here, in the midst of Jesus’ solemn pronouncements during the Last Supper, he interrupts with the remark, “Master, show us the Father, and that...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The people cannot grasp the meaning of Jesus’ miracle in feeding the multitude because of their overly materialistic concern. Here they are after food which Jesus can give; they expect another multiplication of bread. He tries to raise their thoughts to a higher level by telling...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In his apostolic letter Patris Corde, Pope Francis presents St. Joseph as a working father: “St. Joseph was a carpenter who earned an honest living to provide for his family. From him, Jesus learned the value, the dignity and the joy of what it means to eat bread that is the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY First Reading • Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In today’s Gospel, the evangelist John proposes two themes: Jesus is the bread from heaven, and this bread of life is prefigured in the Eucharist. At the very start of John’s Gospel, in the prologue, Jesus is already presented as the incarnate Logos—the preexistent Word of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the Wisdom tradition of Israel, Wisdom personifies herself with this claim: “Those who eat of me will hunger still, those who drink of me will thirst for more” (Sir 24:21). While the Jews believe that the Law is God’s greatest gift, and “in all wisdom, the observance of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY “Gospel” means not just the word of Jesus but also the message about Jesus. The disciples who hear him speak and witness his powerful deeds see him as more than a prophet or miracle worker. In the light of his resurrection, they believe him to be the Messiah and the Son of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The crowds who have experienced the multiplication of the bread follow Jesus with such haste and urgency, believing that he is the answer to their immediate need of hunger. But Jesus chides them in searching for him for the wrong reasons. They are looking for bread, the way their...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Though loneliness can at times lead to desperation, it can also be the start of a journey to faith. To be lonely once in a while is a reminder that within us is a void that can be filled only by Jesus who walks with us, even if often unrecognized. This is the symbolism of the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Greek Ego eimi literally means “I am.” Here it is translated as “It is I,” for the sake of smoothness. In the context of the story, Jesus may have said to the disciples, “It is, I, Jesus—your Master. There is no need to be afraid.” But these words of assurance do...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • 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...
