Reflection for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity and the Olympic Games.

‘Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all.’ From John 6:1-21.

‘Faster; higher; stronger – together.’ The Olympic motto, amended in 2021.

In today’s Gospel, over five thousand people are fed by Jesus and a little boy who gives up his lunch for the sake of the crowd. Women and children would not normally be included in the count, so probably many more were fed and it’s a child rather than an adult – who might sensibly have thought to bring food with them – who provides what’s needed. As children would not normally be noticed, was that boy the son of one of the disciples or one of Jesus’s supporters? Using his five barley loaves and two fish, Jesus gives thanks for the food and God’s grace allows even for leftovers, so great is the generosity of his provision for those in need. This miracle feeds both body and soul as the crowd begin to realise who this might be and Jesus withdraws from them, later being seen to be walking on water and quelling the fears of those who are afraid by the unusual things are happening.

During Friday’s opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, unusual things happened there too – a horse appeared to be galloping on the water of the Seine, headless women in costume sang opera and a balloon took the Olympic flame into the skies where it will remain until the Games end. Although it poured with rain for much of the time, hundreds of thousands of people lined the Seine, needing seating and food but persevering despite the downpour. There are 10,713 athletes alone from 206 countries due to take part in the Games and feeding just them requires a huge amount of organisation and co-operation, with guests and spectators wanting food too. A huge operation is underway – spare a thought for the caterers and street food providers!

It’s not only the provision of food but also accommodation, arenas, facilities, judges, equipment, transport, security….. Working together is vital, as well as costly, if the Games are to be successful and it’s already been clear from the sabotage of parts of the French railway system that there are those who oppose this. However, in 2021, the Olympic motto was slightly amended by the addition of one word – together, reflecting the need for mutual goodwill and co-operation. The words faster, higher, stronger (rather than fastest, highest,  strongest) also reflect the personal competition that each athlete has with themselves as they seek to improve their individual performance as well as the desire to do well against others. It’s not only about winning – although some claim it is – but about taking part in so wonderful an experience. That’s so for the crowd, too, as the spectacle and the privilege of watching supreme athletes compete unfolds, being viewed and debated the world over.

That must have been so in the time of Jesus, too, as the crowd responded to that spectacle of love and grace and as, over two thousand years later, this miraculous tale is also known the world over. Further stories will emerge from these Games and not all in the true spirit of them – but the hope that many will be is always there! 

With my prayers; pob bendith,

Christine, Priest Guardian.