We are a joyful community of disciples proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.”
(John 6:26)
Food that Endures
Today’s Gospel is the beginning of the Bread of Life discourse from John. It takes place immediately following the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus uses this to explain to the crowd where they are going wrong. He explains that they are seeking Him because they got a full meal out of the loaves and not because they saw the signs proving Jesus is the Son of God.
They were seeking Jesus because of what He can do for them not because of who He is.
We do this so often. We focus on what will satisfy us in the present moment and temporarily satiate our “hunger,” but forget to focus on what will bring us eternal life and what will satisfy us long-term. We don't give Jesus a chance to be who He is.
St. Augustine puts it quite well: “Many seek Jesus for no other purpose than that He may do them good in this present life!... Scarcely ever is Jesus sought for Jesus’ sake.”
The almost paparazzi-like crowd was rushing around trying to find Jesus. They weren’t looking for Him because he was the Messiah, but just because they knew He could provide bread for them. Like them, we rush around trying to find anything we can to fill the hole we all feel. We turn to sin, distractions, doom-scrolling on social media, asking God for things that are harmful or will leave us unfulfilled, etc. We often “work for food that perishes” rather than “the food that endures for eternal life.” Our focus ought to remain on God who is the one who can fill us.
How can I focus more on what God wants to give me or where He wants to lead me?
Lord, help me to not focus on the fleeting things of this world, but on you and your gifts. Amen.
Reflection by:
Brittany DeHaan grew up in San Antonio, Texas and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She taught at a Catholic elementary school in Iowa for a year before moving to Florida in 2021. She taught at St. Paul Catholic School in St. Petersburg for two years before joining the pastoral center where she is currently the Communications Coordinator. She is passionate about her faith and loves to be involved in the diocese. She loves music, art, playing sports, and livestreaming Geoguessr in her free time.