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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

A Mini-Retreat

Fr. David Friel · August 6, 2012

The Lectionary for Mass is a mystery to most folks, even to those who are very involved in parish life. One simple thing to know about the Sunday readings is that they run on a three-year cycle. In Year A, for example, we hear mostly from the Gospel of Matthew. In Year B, we mostly read from Mark. And, in Year C, the Gospels come from Luke.

Right now, we’re in Year B—the year of Mark. Yet, the Gospel for this Sunday is taken not from Mark, but from John. This week, and actually for the next four Sundays, the Church reads from the same chapter: John, chapter 6. Why? What’s going on? What is this foray into John in the middle of the Year of Mark all about?

Well, John chapter 6 is a special chapter. The Gospel of John doesn’t have any account of the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted the Eucharist. That’s not to say, of course, that John includes no Eucharistic theology. He just goes about it differently than Matthew, Mark, & Luke (what are called the “Synoptic Gospels”). The main way John goes about teaching us about the Eucharist is through chapter 6 (what is called the “Bread of Life Discourse”). So, over the course of these five weeks every three years, we make a mini-retreat on the topic of the Eucharist, which is certainly a worthwhile subject.

So, what happens this week in John 6:1-15? This is the story of the “feeding of the five thousand” (which, interestingly, is one of the only stories about Jesus recorded in all four of the Gospels). This story is drenched in Eucharistic overtones, if we look at it closely.

The very first verses tell us that “Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee” and that “a large crowd followed Him.” So there’s something magnetic about Jesus. The people want to follow Him and to be with Him. It reminds me of the words of the Third Eucharistic Prayer: “You never cease to gather a people to Yourself, so that, from the rising of the sun to its setting, a pure sacrifice may be offered to Your name.” Jesus is always gathering us to Himself.

Then what? Jesus wants to feed the people, but they only have “five barley loaves and two fish.” That is all they have, and they don’t know what to do with it. So they give it to Jesus. In much the same way, the faithful gather for Mass with nothing but a bunch of hosts made from unleavened bread and some basic wine. They usually sit on a little table towards the back of the church, waiting to be brought forward in procession. What do we do with them? We give them to the priest, who stands in the place of Christ and, at the offertory, offers the meager bread and wine to become something more.

Then what? John tells us that “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them.” We do the very same thing in every Mass. The priest “takes” the bread, he “gives thanks” over it, he “breaks” it during the Lamb of God, and then he “distributes” the Eucharist to those who are present. Take, bless, break, give: that’s the rhythm of the Eucharist! The people receive and have their fill.

Next, the Lord tells His disciples to “gather the fragments left over.” We do that, too, at every Mass. The remaining consecrated hosts are gathered together and placed into the tabernacle. The Eucharist is reserved there to be taken to the sick and for our prayer and adoration as we make visits throughout the day or week.

This Gospel passage is, indeed, drenched with Eucharistic overtones. What Jesus did that day was a tremendous miracle, and it was a clear foreshadowing of the Sacrament He would later establish the night before He died. We’re going to read the rest of this chapter over the next four weeks as we make our mini-retreat on the Eucharist. Maybe it would be a good idea, with the extra time we have in the summer lull, to sit down and read the chapter straight through. It would take 10 minutes, and it would put John’s theology of the Eucharist in perspective for us. Consider it your summer homework for this week: bust out your Bible, dust it off, and read John chapter 6.

When we read the Word of God, just like when we receive Him in the Eucharist, we have something to chew on. The Lord allows us to have our fill.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“There are no hymns, in this sense, till the fourth century; they were not admitted to the Roman office till the twelfth. No Eastern rite to this day knows this kind of hymn. Indeed, in our Roman rite we still have the archaic offices of the last days of Holy Week and of the Easter octave, which—just because they are archaic—have no hymns.”

— Adrian Fortescue (25 March 1916)

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  • New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
  • PDF Download • Croft’s “Canonic Kyrie” (SATB)
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