“There is a boy here …”: The Greek word “paidarion” can mean either a boy or a girl. The Irish language version has “ógánach”, a youth either male or female.
On the other hand, the five thousand are specifically referred to as men (not shown in the translation above). If the men were five thousand, in the culture of the day would the number of women have been larger or smaller? Maybe Pat Rogers can comment.
If the youth had five loaves, it seems likely that they were far smaller than the 800 gram loaves we have these days; perhaps the gospel loaf here was of a size for just one or two people.
Philip was from Bethsaida, a local who would know where to get food.
Perhaps a suggestion: to get people to think of the bread they have already eaten today, or will eat, and the unacknowledged significance of bread in our lives.
Milan Expo 2015, from May to October, has as theme: “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.” Ireland has a pavilion. See websites for info, including the impressive central “Tree of Life” art construction.
The Didache (which could be as early as John’s gospel, or even earlier) has this in chapter 9:
9:1 Now regarding the eucharist, give thanks in this way:
9:2 First concerning the cup:
“We thank You, our Father,
for the holy vine of David Your servant,
which You made known to us through Jesus Your servant.
To You belongs the glory for ever.”
9:3 And concerning the broken bread:
We thank You, our Father,
for the life and knowledge which You made
known to us through Jesus Your servant.
To You belongs the glory for ever.”
9:4 As this broken bread was scattered over the mountains,
and was brought together to become one,
so let Your church be gathered together
from the ends of the earth into Your Kingdom,
for the glory and the power are Yours
through Jesus Christ forever.
The Ephesians reading emphasises “brought together to become one.”
“There is a boy here …”: The Greek word “paidarion” can mean either a boy or a girl. The Irish language version has “ógánach”, a youth either male or female.
On the other hand, the five thousand are specifically referred to as men (not shown in the translation above). If the men were five thousand, in the culture of the day would the number of women have been larger or smaller? Maybe Pat Rogers can comment.
If the youth had five loaves, it seems likely that they were far smaller than the 800 gram loaves we have these days; perhaps the gospel loaf here was of a size for just one or two people.
Philip was from Bethsaida, a local who would know where to get food.
Perhaps a suggestion: to get people to think of the bread they have already eaten today, or will eat, and the unacknowledged significance of bread in our lives.
Milan Expo 2015, from May to October, has as theme: “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.” Ireland has a pavilion. See websites for info, including the impressive central “Tree of Life” art construction.
The Didache (which could be as early as John’s gospel, or even earlier) has this in chapter 9:
9:1 Now regarding the eucharist, give thanks in this way:
9:2 First concerning the cup:
“We thank You, our Father,
for the holy vine of David Your servant,
which You made known to us through Jesus Your servant.
To You belongs the glory for ever.”
9:3 And concerning the broken bread:
We thank You, our Father,
for the life and knowledge which You made
known to us through Jesus Your servant.
To You belongs the glory for ever.”
9:4 As this broken bread was scattered over the mountains,
and was brought together to become one,
so let Your church be gathered together
from the ends of the earth into Your Kingdom,
for the glory and the power are Yours
through Jesus Christ forever.
The Ephesians reading emphasises “brought together to become one.”