On the Back Porch
Reading, pondering and studying God’s Word is sometimes best done “on the back porch.” Each week we will try to offer something for you and your “back porch time.”
19th Sunday, Year B
What We Celebrate
Our recent gospels have been taken from “The Bread of Life Discourse” of John 6. The miraculous feeding of the multitudes has already occurred, Jesus had already left the scene and now the people are following – but their motivations are not clear. Jesus challenges them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.” What will be their response? They grumble. As Jesus reveals more and more, the understanding is not growing as the people are “stuck” in what they think they know about Jesus.
There is a lot going on in this gospel. Take a moment “on the back porch” and find out more about this amazing Gospel.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary
The Feeding of the Five Thousand by William Hole (1846-1917) | Edinburgh University Library | PD-US
Revelation and Understanding
It is good to remember that John has a different intention than the other gospel writers. While they have recorded the event, it is John who seeks to explain the event through dialogue and discourse. It is also good to remember that John frequently has dual layers of meaning that are woven in the dialogues with people – e.g., Nicodemus and the Samaritan Woman at the well. In Nicodemus’ case as the dialogue continues the misunderstanding only grows. But not so with the woman at the well. Each exchange leads to a deeper understanding of who Jesus truly is. Consider how she refers to Jesus as “man,” “Jew,” “rabbi,” “prophet,” and finally “messiah.” Expect to find those same features in this dialogue: Jesus will increasingly reveal more and listeners will increasingly understand and come closer to Jesus or will increasingly misunderstand and walk away.