Do you feel discouraged by your lack of progress or the seeming fruitlessness of your efforts?  This episode offers a message of hope and encouragement through the story of Jesus's appearance to the disciples after a night of fishing.  We'll examine how Jesus meets us in our "empty net" moments and guides us to abundance.  Learn how to recognize Jesus's presence in your life and trust in his promise of provision and blessing.

From skepticism to salvation! This episode tackles the big question: did the resurrection really happen? We explore the doubts, examine the evidence, and uncover the driving force behind the early Christian "resurrection mission." Tune in for a compelling look at faith, history, and the heart of the Gospel.

Dive into our latest episode of The Gospel Connection podcast as we explore John 16:12-15 and discover how the Holy Spirit continues to guide and inspire us today. Learn how Jesus' teachings are made alive through the Spirit of Truth. Don't miss this insightful reflection!

In John 16:5–11, Jesus prepares to depart from his followers but promises them that his absence will be for their benefit, as the Holy Spirit will come to lead them. In this episode, we look at the significance of this text and how it pertains to our lives today, providing comfort and hope in times of need.

In John 6:1-15, we find one of the most well-known miracles of Jesus, the feeding of the five thousand. This miracle demonstrates Jesus' power and compassion as he provides for the physical needs of the multitude. It also serves as a sign of his divine nature and points to the spiritual nourishment he offers to all who come to him. This event takes place in the context of Jesus' public ministry, where he is attracting large crowds and gaining followers through his teachings and miraculous works. Through this story, we can learn valuable lessons about faith, generosity, and the abundance that comes from trusting in God.

For show notes for this episode please visit:

https://allenlucas.notion.site/July-17-2022-ca2466ffd3b64288a71d9887420a7aa2

A Reading of the Holy Gospel according to  Jn 6:1-15

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tibe'ri-as. 2 And a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased. 3 Jesus went up into the hills, and there sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat? 6 This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little. 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peters brother, said to him, 9 There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many? 10 Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then 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. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost. “13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world! 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by himself.

Reading: Jn 6:1-15

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tibe'ri-as. 2 And a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased. 3 Jesus went up into the hills, and there sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat? 6 This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little. 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peters brother, said to him, 9 There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many? 10 Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then 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. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost. “13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world! 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by himself.

Commentary:

This chapter is foundational for the theology of the Eucharist. In the Synoptic Gospels, the link between the multiplication of the loaves and the Eucharist can be reasonably presumed. In John that link becomes explicit and serves as a precursor to the institution of the Eucharist. In this case, there was a trust in Christ along with the generosity of giving up the five loaves and two fishes. The perennial lesson of almost all of Christ's miracles involves the interplay between an act of faith consisting of total self-giving and the exercise of divine power. (CCC 549, 1338)

Reading: Jn 6:4

4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.

Commentary:

The timing of this miracle around Passover, and the fact that John mentions it here, implies a connection between the Jewish feast and its ultimate fulfillment and perfection in the institution of the Eucharist, the new Passover. (CCC 1335)

Reading: Jn 6:11

11 Jesus then 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.

Commentary:

The formula expressed here is very close to the description in the Synoptic Gospels of the actions of Christ at the Last Supper, where he instituted the Eucharist (cf. Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:19). Given thanks: This term in Greek is eucharistesas, whence "Eucharist." (CCC 1360)

Reading: Jn 6:15

15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by himself.

Commentary:

Jesus withdrew: The people acclaimed Christ for his miracle, but they sought to make him a temporal king who would provide for their material needs, show military might, and liberate the Jews from Roman rule. Christ left the scene before this act could take place, for although he is a king, his kingdom is not of this world. (CCC 439, 559)

Works Cited

Ignatius Press. The Didache Bible : With Commentaries Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014. Edited by Rev. James Socias, 2nd ed., Downers Grove, Il, Midwest Theological Forum, Inc. ; San Francisco, Ca, 5 Jan. 2015, pp. 5, 278–5, 279.

---. The Didache Bible : With Commentaries Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014. Edited by Rev. James Socias, 2nd ed., Downers Grove, Il, Midwest Theological Forum, Inc. ; San Francisco, Ca, 5 Jan. 2015, pp. 5, 279–5, 280.

---. The Didache Bible : With Commentaries Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014. Edited by Rev. James Socias, 2nd ed., Downers Grove, Il, Midwest Theological Forum, Inc. ; San Francisco, Ca, 5 Jan. 2015, pp. 5, 279.

A Reading of the Holy Gospel according to  Mt 13:24-30

Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants j of the householder came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants j said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he said, 'No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.

Reading: Mt 13:24-30

Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants j of the householder came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants j said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he said, 'No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.

Commentary:

The weeds in this parable can be regarded as unrepentant evildoers who refuse to repent and ultimately are winnowed out for condemnation. However, the weeds can also be viewed as our imperfections. The Church is composed of sinners who are called to struggle against sinful tendencies so as to lead virtuous lives. They are on the path to salvation and holiness but have not yet arrived. In this parable, then, the weeds of sinfulness and the wheat of sanctity will coexist in each of us until the end of time. Our own fruitfulness in hearing and keeping the word of God is determined by our desire and eagerness for a close friendship with Christ and fidelity to his teachings. (CCC 827)

Works Cited

Ignatius Press. The Didache Bible : With Commentaries Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014. Edited by Rev. James Socias, 2nd ed., Downers Grove, Il, Midwest Theological Forum, Inc. ; San Francisco, Ca, 5 Jan. 2015, pp. 4, 789–4, 790.

A Reading of the Holy Gospel according to   Mt 13:18-23

Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil One comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.  22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.

Reading: Mt 13:22

22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Commentary:

Attachment to material wealth and temporal concerns distract us from seeking Christ and turn our attention from doing God's will. To be fruitful, we must respond to God in faith and heed his Word. (CCC 29, 1153)

Reading: Mt 13:23

23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.

Works Cited

Ignatius Press. The Didache Bible : With Commentaries Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014. Edited by Rev. James Socias, 2nd ed., Downers Grove, Il, Midwest Theological Forum, Inc. ; San Francisco, Ca, 5 Jan. 2015, pp. 4, 789.

A Reading of the Holy Gospel according to  Jn 20:1-2, 11-18

Now on the first day of the week, Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him. 14 Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek? Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him in Hebrew, Rab-bo'ni! (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. 18 Mary Mag'dalene went and said to the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Reading:  Jn 20:1

Now on the first day of the week, Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

Commentary:

first day of the week: Sunday is the day of Christ's Resurrection. Because of that, the Church recognizes Sunday as the Lord's Day and established its worship on that day by the celebration of the Eucharist. In the early Church, before Christians made a complete break from Judaism, they would worship in the Temple and synagogues on the Sabbath and then meet to celebrate the Eucharist in private homes on the following day, which was Sunday. As the first day, Sunday also brings to mind the first day of creation and thus signifies a new creation in Christ. (CCC 2174, 2190-2195)

Reading: Jn 20:2

2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.

Commentary:

The empty tomb is not in itself unimpeachable evidence of the Resurrection, but it is obviously an essential sign of the Resurrection. (CCC 640)

Reading: Jn 20:11-18

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him. 14 Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek? Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him in Hebrew, Rab-bo'ni! (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. 18 Mary Mag'dalene went and said to the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Commentary:

God allows himself to be seen and recognized by those who are pure of heart," taught St. Gregory of Nyssa (De Beatitudinibus, 6). Mary Magdalene was a disciple of Christ who was mentioned by John as having been one of the women at the foot of the Cross; Luke describes her as having been a woman possessed by demons whom Christ had healed. Her sincere search for Christ after her discovery of the empty tomb was rewarded with an appearance by the risen Christ himself. Disciples of Christ are those who, despite human weaknesses, are healed by him and commit themselves to follow him, becoming witnesses of his merciful love. (CCC 640-641)

Works Cited

Ignatius Press. The Didache Bible : With Commentaries Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014. Edited by Rev. James Socias, 2nd ed., Downers Grove, Il, Midwest Theological Forum, Inc. ; San Francisco, Ca, 5 Jan. 2015, pp. 5, 347.

---. The Didache Bible : With Commentaries Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014. Edited by Rev. James Socias, 2nd ed., Downers Grove, Il, Midwest Theological Forum, Inc. ; San Francisco, Ca, 5 Jan. 2015, pp. 5, 347–5, 348.