Last Sunday, I discussed how the Lord Jesus fed thousands by the Sea of Galilee (Jn 6:1-15), pointing to the Eucharist. Previously, I discussed the Eucharists as thanksgiving for creation, for redemption, and for sanctification. Today’s reflection continues from last Sunday’s (Jn 6:24-35).
After feeding the five thousand, Jesus leaves the western shore of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias, and crosses to Capernaum, about 6.3 miles. These locations hold significant spiritual and historical importance in the life of Jesus. As he continues the Father’s work, many who receive the miracle follow him across the sea (Jn 6:24). The seed of faith is already planted in their hearts. They start to warm up to him. Their intention may not be right, yet their desire is important for the first stage of faith life.
Growth of Faith in Christ
The Lord gradually and steadily leads people to himself as Lord and Savior. Often, faith life begins with material concerns and, by God’s grace, matures into a deeper life in Christ.
Have you reflected on how your faith life or those of friends or relatives began? It may have been due to simple acts of kindness shown by a believer or because some social, emotional, or physical needs were met. You come to the Lord, and then the Lord gradually takes over.
Initially, you may be in charge. Gradually, if you grow in the interior life, the Lord takes over and leads you to where he wants. As he tells the apostle Peter, he often leads you to where you would instead not want to go (John 21:28). When this begins to happen, you’ve started living the life of Christ.
Misguided Intentions?
The story of the people searching for the Lord in the referenced Gospel could be our story, too. Their following of the Lord at this stage is based on social concerns. They are fed with bread–a great miracle. They are determined not to lose sight of Jesus, “the miracle worker” in their midst. He has to stay with them. They could crown him king (Jn 6:15). They could lobby the political powers to ensure he stayed in their city and not go elsewhere. He is an asset that must be “owned” as their property–all for the wrong reasons.
Isn’t this kind of human response typical? When we have a “miracle worker” in our communities, may want them to stay. As those behind the scenes say, “they are good for business.”
When the people finally see the Lord across the sea, they express their curiosity because they have been looking for him. He knows their hearts. As God, the Lord knows every heart. He sees us through and through. When we gather in worship, he knows why each worshipper has gathered.
The Call to Purify Intentions
He tells the people who cross the sea searching for him, as he tells us: “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal” (Jn 6:26-27).
These words are challenging and inspiring. The Lord speaks to us about the need to purify our intentions every step of the way. He points to the need for faith in him as the food that endures unto eternal life, which he alone is and can give. He gives this food in the Eucharist.
God’s Work in Our Lives
True faith is life in Christ. It is not simply about our needs being met, but about our transformation. We belong to the LORD, and our longing for him is not just because of his works, but because we are to live in him and he in us. We desire true life in him, and this life is the ultimate desire of the human heart.
The life the Lord gives is not our work. It is his work in our lives. He provides the life. We receive life. He offers his body as food, the bread of life: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst” (Jn 6:35). This is the divine nature of the Eucharist, a sacred act that connects us to the Lord.
We receive the Lord, the bread of life, and are transformed in his likeness so our own lives can become a sacrifice for others. We become like him for as the saying goes, we become what we eat in the Eucharist. Again, this is something other than our work. It’s God’s work for us.
Faith in Action, Not Action in Faith
Sometimes, we believe we can achieve salvation through our actions, like the people who follow Jesus because he feeds them. We think we can only have this life in God through our human efforts or strategic planning. We ask: “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” (Jn 6:28). However, we need to remember that it is not action in faith but faith in action. Our faith should inspire our actions, not the other way around.
Scripture tells us that the Lord replies that the work of God is to believe in him, Jesus Christ, whom God the Father has sent (Jn 6:29). When we believe in the Lord, our poor faith will grow into mature faith.
We will see in the next Sunday reflection, how the deepening of this faith, its highest form of encounter, is in the Eucharist, the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, the bread of life. Subsequently, in the next two Sundays, we will consider what these truly mean in our spiritual life. We will delve into the significance of the Eucharist and its role in our spiritual growth, followed by a discussion on how we can apply these insights in our daily lives.
In the meantime, for your prayerful experience this week, you may want to ponder why you believe in the Lord and how that faith is rooted not simply in what the Lord will give you but in what you will become in God.
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