Finding Spiritual Nourishment in Jesus
In today's gospel, John presents us with the crowd searching for Jesus after the multiplication of loaves. When they find Him, Jesus lovingly yet firmly redirects their focus from material bread to the spiritual nourishment that truly sustains. "Do not work for food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life." These words challenge us to examine our own motivations in seeking the Lord. Do we follow Him merely for temporal benefits, or do we genuinely hunger for the eternal life He offers?
Our Lord's teaching here beautifully illuminates the proper relationship between faith and works. When the crowd asks what they must do to perform the works of God, Jesus responds with profound simplicity: "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." Faith in Christ is the foundation of all authentic spiritual endeavor. Without this foundation, our works, no matter how impressive, remain empty. Yet this faith is not passive; it is itself a "work" that engages our whole person in a relationship with the Divine.
The Eucharistic undertones in this scripture passage cannot be overlooked. Jesus, who would later reveal Himself as the Bread of Life, is preparing His listeners to receive the unfathomable gift of His Body and Blood. When He speaks of the "food that endures for eternal life," He points toward the sacred mystery that would become the center of our faith for centuries. This heavenly food, given by the Father through the Son, nourishes us for our pilgrimage toward eternal life.
In our daily lives, we often find ourselves, like the crowd, seeking Jesus for various reasons. Today's gospel invites us to purify our intentions and to recognize that our deepest hunger can only be satisfied by Jesus Christ Himself. The Father has set His seal on the Son, confirming Him as the source of our salvation. May we approach Him not merely for what He can give us materially, but for who He is - the Bread of Life, the answer to our soul's deepest longings, and the One who leads us to eternal communion with the Father.
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
