Today we begin the great chapter 6 of John where he speaks of Jesus as the Bread of Life. It is Jesus who is the Source of all the spiritual nourishment that we need in our lives and its great sacramental symbol is the Eucharist. The chapter begins with Jesus on a hillside, surrounded by his disciples, and a large crowd of people approaching. Significantly, it is very near the feast of the Passover, when the sacrifice of the Lamb that liberated the Israelites is remembered. As the crowds gather, Jesus, in order to test him, asks Philip where enough bread can be bought to feed so many. The Lord knows what he is going to do. It is then that a small boy is brought forward with five loaves and two fish, presumably for himself and his family but which he is ready to share with the hungry. Jesus accepts the bread and fish and tells the people to sit down. Jesus then takes the offered bread, blesses it and gives it out to all present. He does the same with the fish. Everyone was filled to the extent that there were 12 baskets of leftovers. Not surprisingly, the people (and the disciples?) wanted to make Jesus their King. Would not a free meal every day be something wonderful? They had missed the point - Jesus is the Bread of Life, but the Bread He gives is His own spirit, His own vision of life, a life of love and service and peace for all.