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God's love and religious freedom (Friday 2nd Week Easter 2020)
John 6
Today’s gospel is one of the best-known episodes in the New Testament. But how would you answer if your child or grandchild asks you why Jesus caused this miraculous feeding of the five thousand? Did Jesus want to impress the people with his power? Did he want to be praised for his merciful act of feeding? Did he want to make more followers? Or was he preparing for the Eucharist? Was he teaching the small sharing of the five loaves and two fish could fulfill the needs of the multitude?
Yes, the disciples saw the divine power of Jesus. Yes, the people all looked up Jesus as a saviour. Yes, more and more people searched for Jesus after this event. Yes, this feeding was remembered later by the disciples of how Jesus prefigured the Eucharist. Yes, he taught that a small gift to God could become a blessing for many.
But we missed the biggest reason why Jesus gathered all these people and fed them. A parallel passage of today’s gospel is found in St. Matthew’s. There, St. Matthew writes as follows (14.14): “he had compassion on them”. He fed the people because he loved them. Does it sound too obvious? But we often forget this love, especially when we gather in the name of Jesus. God gathers us to give something good because he loves us so much. And Jesus gives the best thing - his own flesh and blood.
These days I hear Christians claim religious freedom and liberty to gather to worship amid the pandemic. Some consider this pandemic is religious persecution and call for martyrdom. Some also argue the Christian worship is an essential service just like a grocery store.
But how many parents ask their children to visit them at this time? Although they feel lonely and isolated, aren’t many elderly parents enduring this time, rather telling their children to stay home for their health and safety?
The next phrase to the quoted text from St Matthew’s is this, “and he [Jesus] healed their sick.” During this pandemic, I wonder if Jesus wants us to risk our health by gathering for the worship of him, the health he often restored for many.
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By Fr Swann KimJohn 6
Today’s gospel is one of the best-known episodes in the New Testament. But how would you answer if your child or grandchild asks you why Jesus caused this miraculous feeding of the five thousand? Did Jesus want to impress the people with his power? Did he want to be praised for his merciful act of feeding? Did he want to make more followers? Or was he preparing for the Eucharist? Was he teaching the small sharing of the five loaves and two fish could fulfill the needs of the multitude?
Yes, the disciples saw the divine power of Jesus. Yes, the people all looked up Jesus as a saviour. Yes, more and more people searched for Jesus after this event. Yes, this feeding was remembered later by the disciples of how Jesus prefigured the Eucharist. Yes, he taught that a small gift to God could become a blessing for many.
But we missed the biggest reason why Jesus gathered all these people and fed them. A parallel passage of today’s gospel is found in St. Matthew’s. There, St. Matthew writes as follows (14.14): “he had compassion on them”. He fed the people because he loved them. Does it sound too obvious? But we often forget this love, especially when we gather in the name of Jesus. God gathers us to give something good because he loves us so much. And Jesus gives the best thing - his own flesh and blood.
These days I hear Christians claim religious freedom and liberty to gather to worship amid the pandemic. Some consider this pandemic is religious persecution and call for martyrdom. Some also argue the Christian worship is an essential service just like a grocery store.
But how many parents ask their children to visit them at this time? Although they feel lonely and isolated, aren’t many elderly parents enduring this time, rather telling their children to stay home for their health and safety?
The next phrase to the quoted text from St Matthew’s is this, “and he [Jesus] healed their sick.” During this pandemic, I wonder if Jesus wants us to risk our health by gathering for the worship of him, the health he often restored for many.