NOTES for Joh 6:5-14
The text about the multiplication of the loaves is incomparably important for us: important liturgically, important theologically, important ecclesiologically. We never tire of repeating this. It is simply important, because it is a living connection with the Lord, a connection that takes place during every liturgy. This event is mentioned six times in the Gospel, more than any other. We understand that it is a kind of bridge between the Last Supper and every liturgy.
But now we would like to look at this text from another side. Christ says: I am the bread of life (John 6:48). But He is also the incarnate Word, for in Him "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Word and bread... Guigo II the Carthusian ended his prayerful reading with this prayer: "You break for me the bread of Holy Scripture, and by breaking this bread You grant me to know Yourself..." (from the book Prayerful Reading of Holy Scripture by E. Bianchi).
The Gospel is such a small book in volume, just as five loaves are few; but it satisfies everyone who partakes of it, and everyone finds his own meaning, especially dear and understandable to him alone, as everyone receives his own piece of bread. Yet at the same time this will be a meaning related to the universal meaning, just as each piece is taken from one loaf.
And not only one meaning, but meanings that are constantly multiplied, like the loaves. They are multiplied so that we may not grow weak and in the end die. This does not happen with any human book. Between a human book and the Gospel there is the same difference as between ordinary bread that we eat and that prosphora which alone feeds the whole parish.