April 13, 2024 - Saturday of the 2nd week of Easter
Homily
There are many mysterious and highly symbolic details in this short text by Saint John. The scene takes place immediately after the first multiplication of the loaves (which we read about yesterday). We are still at the beginning of Jesus' public life, and his relationship with his disciples is still being established. After the multiplication of the loaves, when the crowd wanted to make him king, Jesus withdrew alone to the mountain. The disciples were already used to the nights Jesus spent alone on the mountain, praying. When evening came and Jesus did not return, the disciples knew that he would spend the night there. So they went down to the lake and set sail for the town of Capernaum on the other side. John then uses one of those phrases full of mystery: "It was already night and Jesus had not yet joined them". John's reference to night also signifies confusion, lack of understanding and the absence of Jesus. The disciples were a little lost.