Alleluia. Christ is Risen.

“After these events, Jesus crossed to the far side of the Sea of Galilee” (John 6:1). This familiar story of Jesus feeding five thousand with five loaves and two fish appears in all four Gospels and has long shaped Eucharistic theology. Jesus gives thanks—eucharisteo—the root of our word Eucharist, grounding this story in gratitude and sacramental life.

What caught my attention, however, was the phrase “after these events.” The preceding chapter describes Jesus healing on the Sabbath, confronting religious authorities, and challenging them for failing to believe Moses and the Scriptures. As Chapter 6 begins, those themes continue—now through action rather than words.

Jesus crosses a sea, ascends a mountain, and feeds the people in a barren place. These details echo the Exodus story: the crossing of the sea, Moses on the mountain, and manna from heaven. John presents Jesus as fulfilling Scripture through lived action.

What we walk each year in Lent calls us to the same embodiment of faith. We are invited to turn more fully to God through prayer, fasting, self-denial, and meditation on Scripture—not only during Lent, but as a way of life at all times and seasons. The hope is that our Lenten disciplines become in the Easter Season a celebration of new things God is doing in our lives.

So consider: What sea are you crossing in your life of faith? What mountain are you ascending to meet God? Where do you see scarcity that God may transform into abundance? And in all things, how are you giving thanks?

Peace.

This image was found on Freepik.com