Feeding of the 5000

On Laetare Sunday we consider the feeding of the 5000,  and Jesus' testing of his disciples, especially Philip and Andrew, who should have remembered what they had said about him in the first chapter of this same Gospel of John. But they failed the test.  So he showed them what he could do, as the Incarnate One who had done this for a multitude of Israelites in the desert long before.  Then as soon as the event was ended, they found themselves in a storm at sea, and Jesus came to them walking on the water.  Again they failed his test, and were terrified.  Yet he bid them to put their fears aside.  He will never leave his people, even though they be feeble and fearful.  The sermon.