Monday, April 20, 2015

The Food that Endures


“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. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” John 6:28-29

Piety
Father, please answer me when I call.  When modern troubles hem me in, set me free from these pressures.  Take pity on me, with your everlasting mercy.  Hear my prayer.  Help us to understand that we do not live on bread alone but upon believing that the Bread of Life is every word that comes forth from your mouth.  (Based upon Psalm 4:2)

Study
Eating seems to be pivotal to the theme of this week.  In the Sunday Gospel, when the disciples encountered Jesus, he asked them for something to eat.  Once that need was met, they were filled.  Then they had to be fulfilled.

Today, the Gospel scene follows the feeding of the five thousand.  Once the people were filled, then it was time for Jesus to remind them of the mission to be fulfilled.  Maybe that old saw about the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach is one which Jesus put to use. 

However, this raises a question for the disciples:  “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God that you believe in the one he sent.”  When we believe, we repent.  When we believe, we are not afraid.  When we believe, we carry out works for the good of the community based upon our faith in Jesus.

Action
“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”  

We can ask the same question that was posed two thousand years ago.  And it will not take long to look around our community for ways to build the kingdom of God.  Our neighborhoods, hospitals, prisons, and nursing homes are filled with people who need to see a friendly face.  Our streets are filled with the homeless, the unemployed and the hungry. Look around for how you can work.  It might be as closer than you think. 

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