Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.
“He said this to test him because he himself knew what he was going to do.”
Once upon a time, Moses had gone up a mountain. He came down with the tablets of the Law. Neither Aaron nor the people understood what Moses had done. Moses went back up the mountain. Many times upon many times, in the desert. God fed the people with manna, food from heaven, food for the journey, food from God’s dwelling place, for God’s people journeying to that dwelling place.
Jesus went up the mountain. He sat down. He does not seem to have taught the people. He sat down, saw the crowds coming towards him, and said, “Let’s feed the people.” Had Jesus planned a picnic from the word go, or did this happen on the spur of the moment? How did he know there were only seven pieces of food in the crowd? How did he know that the crowd was ready to make him a king and follow him to victory?
Moses led the people through forty years of danger and challenge, but he was never made a king. The prophets were also servants of God’s word, and never wanted to be kings. Jesus walked in the steps of those who had come before him. Being king of having earthly power was not for Jesus: he ran away from it.
Nor is it for us. We likewise are servants of God’s word. We are to picnic among people; we encourage them; we live with them. Whether we be ordained or not, ours is to be signs and wonders leading all to know Jesus.
St John describes signs and wonders Jesus did so that people could come to believe in him and find salvation. He had reported the wedding at Cana and the discussion that endued with Nicodemus. Now he has related multiplication of bread, and he will show the discussion that followed. Following Jesus will keep us on track.