Sunday 25 July

17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalm 145,
Ephesians 4:1-6, John 6:1-15

God feeds God’s people

The story of Jesus feeding with bread is told six times in the Gospels, so it is important. John places it around the Passover when people remembered Moses feeding with manna in the desert. 5 plus 2 = 7: the perfect Jewish number indicating perfect feeding. Notice Jesus took loaves, gave thanks, gave it to distribute, then instructed they gather fragments. These are all special words used by the early church in Eucharist. Twelve indicates completeness, Jewish tribes or all people. Ponder these Gospel clues in prayer. How can they enrich your celebration of Eucharist?