This weekend we begin an elongated discussion on the meaning of Christian Eucharist in the Gospel of John. The multiplication of the loaves and fishes is the only “miracle” that is included in all four Evangelists. John does have his own, unique take on this event.

The great abundance of food suggests the overflowing richness of the banquet in the finale age of Salvation—in the Kingdom to come. The leftovers, the 12 wicker baskets, also suggests a fullness and completeness of things to come in the Eternal Age, and in fact the turn of phrase.. “...and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves had been more than they could eat” suggests that they were “satisfied,” this interesting word—not stuffed or full, but satisfied thus having all they could ever want or need. In the Greek language, the word for “fragments” was related to the “bread of the Eucharist for the early Church.” This clearly has John pointing us to who Jesus is, the Word of God made flesh.

This, then, should have great meaning on how today we understand the meaning of the Eucharistic meal which the Roman Catholic Church has continued unbroken since it was given to us by Christ Himself. Think about this the next time we approach the altar to receive the Holy Eucharist and what it can do for us (enabling us to have life to the fullest) as we travel on this spiritual journey toward God, back home to the Father of all creation.