The Gospel Connection Podcast Allen Lucas

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.

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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

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.