Corpus Christi
June 2007
The Catholic Church got such a fright at the Reformation that it retreated within the walls of tradition and for the next four hundred years concentrated on defending itself against the real or perceived onslaught of the Protestant and Reformed churches. The latter used the Bible to attack the Catholic church. Therefore the Bible, though still considered to be the word of God, was generally viewed, by Catholics, with suspicion. During this period, Catholic scripture scholars and theologians were kept on a very short lead and risked the jaundiced eye if they strayed outside the box. This all ended with Vatican II.
Since then, Catholic theologians and especially Scripture scholars have been allowed to explore previously forbidden territory, or, were willing to ignore Vatican frowns and explored anyway. This has led to a whole new look at the Bible, which has, and is, producing new and exciting interpretations of Scripture, which are sometimes at variance with longstanding traditional views. As you can well imagine the 'official church' has not rushed in to embrace these new ideas but is proceeding with its usual ponderous, long range, examination. All the above is by way of a preface.
Traditionally, today's Gospel (about the feeding of the five thousand) has been regarded as a symbol of the Eucharist.
About ten or fifteen years ago I read a book by a Scripture scholar named Raymond Brown. He gave a very interesting interpretation of today's Gospel.
A very large crowd had gathered, in an out of way place, to listen to Jesus and to receive healing, both physical and spiritual. They were not only from the surrounding countryside but also from much further afield. Among other things, as usual, he spoke to them about the importance of helping, sharing with and being tolerant towards, each other. As sunset approached Jesus told his disciples to get the people to sit on the grass in small groups. As happens in small groups, people began chatting together about what Jesus had said and getting to know one another. Then Jesus took the bread and fish, which he and his disciples had brought for their evening meal and they began to share it out among themselves and among the small groups sitting next to them. Seeing this, people in these small groups, who had the foresight to bring some food along, began opening their baskets and sharing their food with Jesus and the disciples and among themselves. Then the other small groups began following this example and shared what food they had among themselves and even among other small groups. 'They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps left over were collected they filled twelve baskets. '
A great lesson for us today when we talk of making poverty history.
Of course, what works very well locally or among small groups of people does not necessarily work at the national or international level. At this level we always come up against 'the national interest.' Translated, 'the national interest' means selfishness and greed.