Two weeks ago, at the Annual meeting, I alluded to the Bread and Fish provided by the small boy, which with Jesus blessing, became the source of food for the hungry multitude - 5,000 men without counting the women and children. Five loaves, two fish and Jesus and the immediate needs of the crowd were satisfied - what a story - what a promise for us to take hold of. We can as a parish become despondent at the seemingly large nature of the task that we are called to do and our apparent minimal resources. The story is a reminder to focus on the need and not on the resource. There is a proven principle that God's work will never lack God's provision.

The feeding of the five thousand, was Jesus response to human need, and the power of the free lunch saw many of the followers seek to make him King, because of what it was that they perceived he could do for them. Self interest was as much a potent force in first century Palestine as in our modern world.

But Jesus moves the debate on. It is not just the role of the church to feed the hungry - there are the spiritual needs as well. For what Jesus did for the body, he offered also for the soul. Scholars see this part of John as John's understanding of Communion. The mystical bread, that offers life, not just sustenance.

Jesus takes us back to another image - that of the manna that God gave the wandering Israelites in the desert. This was not of human origin, but from heaven and sustained the life of all who ate it. It needed to be received and not made - And Jesus says - I am just like that. But more so! Manna sustained the human life, but those who ate it did die, Jesus offers more - Life with an eternal quality, not just longer but in a higher dimension. Life beyond our earthly experience, offered like the manna with out cost, without effort - we just needed to reach out and receive.

Perhaps you have not thought about Communion in this way. The bread and wine that we share is not just in our world, but divine as well, offering us the connection with the Father above. We feed not only on bread, but as we reach out our hands for bread and wine, we are reaching out to draw Jesus into our lives as well. How it is, I cannot say, but this mystery is received by faith and draws us into the eternal life we are promised.

This is all very well, but there is a danger. We must take care, that we understand that Jesus alone is the source of life. The church, the priests, the people are not the life givers, salvation belongs to Jesus alone. Our role of God's people is not to bring life to others, but to point them to Jesus. In as much as Jesus reminds us of the dimension that is greater than the physical needs, he alone is the bread that satisfies hunger, the wine that satisfies thirst. Our mistake is to try and get into the process. Our role is to create the opportunities for each person to encounter Jesus. This might come, as our actions challenge others - as we show them the love that Jesus has for them, but we are not the way - on Jesus is.

So what does this mean as a church? In as much as we are called to look to Jesus to bless our resources and reach out to meet the needs of others, we are called to allow Jesus to bring eternal life to others. We are not selling a product, we are not offering a prize, indeed the words of John the Baptist - "I must decrease that he might increase" are a catch cry. Our role is to get out of the way as others draw near to Jesus. For priests, but for all Christians, there is the danger that we will allow others to develop a faith that is dependent on us - That we will see ourselves as the means of grace to others. We will be the channel by which others can engage Jesus. In the early stages, the person may not have a clear vision of Jesus, and there is a need for us to help them encounter him, but this should always be temporary. One of the agonies for parents is the sight of children drifting from the faith, but if we are standing in the way, the other must move to a new position to see Jesus. Each person must stand before the cross and recognise our crucified Lord. Each must make their own decision, their own commitment, and our job is to bring them to that point. We cannot make the decision for them. We can only bring them to that point. Our devotion may influence them - but it cannot be done on their behalf.

This calls for trust - trust in God to act, even when sometimes the circumstances seem to work against it.

Let us then strive to create that space where others can meet Jesus. To live lives that will make them want to meet him and to pray daily for the spiritual health of all whom we are coming across.

But perhaps I am rushing ahead. Let us first meet with Jesus ourselves. Let us listen as John Michael Talbot sings Jesus words and let us again affirm our acceptance of his call. As we come forward for communion and reach out our hands, let us think of the living bread that is offered and be thankful.