Although in Year B we are reading from Mark's gospel, on this and some following Sundays we turn to the 6th chapter of John which discusses Jesus as the Bread of Life. The chapter begins with the feeding of the large crowd by Lake Tiberias. Philip wonders how so many people can be fed. His question is answered when a young, nameless boy comes forward offering five barley loaves and two fish, perhaps food he had brought for his own needs. In a scene that is symbolic of the Eucharist, Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks over it and then shares it with all present. The fish is given out in the same way. At the end, twelve (a number symbolising completeness) baskets of leftovers are picked up. A sign of abundance and of the immeasurable love of God.

The whole scene is a symbol (the people call it a 'sign') of what is to come in a much fuller way. The bread that Jesus gave for the people's physical hunger is a foretaste of the Bread that Jesus will give to all those who put their faith in him as Lord. Jesus is the source of all the Nourishment we need to live lives that are full of meaning. This Bread is the Body of Christ for through that Body, which we also are, the nourishment continues to be shared with the world. How do I share this nourishment with others?