Friday 21 April 2023

Today is Friday the 21st of April, in the second week of Easter.

Diana Gameros with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Jesus, Bread Of Life’. As you listen and we prepare to pray with the passage of Jesus feeding the five thousand, become aware of what is in your heart today…


Jesus bread of life, manna from heaven;
broken for the world, offered up for everyone.
Feast of angels becomes food for the weary,
and hungry hearts are filled
when you open up your hand,
when you open up your hand.
O Lord, come fill us with your love.
This table laid for us.
There is more than enough.
Jesus, bread of life.
Sister, take what you need, anything I own.
There is no famine here: Jesus' love will multiply.
Brother, what's mine is yours, you are not alone.
There is no shortage here: Jesus' love satisfies,
Jesus' love satisfies.
O Lord, come fill us with your love.
This table laid for us.
There is more than enough.
Jesus, bread of life.




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.


John 6:1-15

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

For passages like this, it can sometimes be helpful to try to experience the scene as if you were one of the crowd. Using the imagination can be a revealing way into prayer and revelation.


The crowd is a mixed lot; they have followed the action, signs and miracles that had taken place in their community. They seem unwilling to let Jesus go, maybe waiting for something more? Where would your place be in this crowd?

Is it easy to understand Philip’s concern? Faced with a seemingly impossible challenge, what other response could there be?

Getting five thousand men plus women and children to do anything - no small task; with ripples of incredulity, questions, demands and entreaties until there you all were sitting down - waiting. What are your emotions now?

Sitting down gives you an opportunity to come to stillness; to reflect on why you are here at all in the heat of the day. Eyes turn towards Jesus as he plays out his scene with the disciples; then back towards the town. What are your expectations now?

And in the waiting, the thoughts go through your mind. What was it that the light had called to?


As if from nowhere a hand reaches down 'Eat'. Fresh crumbly barley bread, crisped skin and soft flakes of fish; scent of charcoal, lake water and clay ovens; a bountiful tapestry of golden, bronze and cream.


What is your response to this miracle of generosity and blessing?

‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’


A feast and more than a feast; a promise of more for those who wait; for those who want to believe; for those who know why they are here?

As you reflect on this experience of prayer, take a moment in blessing to share your feelings with the Lord.


Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.