Do Not Work for Food that Perishes

08-01-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp

Today’s gospel reading is a continuation of last Sunday’s reading where Jesus multiplied five barley loaves and two fish to feed the people and at the end they were all satisfied with about twelve basket as left over. This miracle is more than just feeding the people to satisfy their physical hunger, it goes to point to Jesus as the bread of life and as one who sustains life. Having fed very well, the crowd were so amazed at the miracle that they started looking for Jesus. On seeing Jesus they told him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus immediately told them “you were looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.” He then told them “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life”. The question for our personal reflection is, what is this food that endures for eternal life and how do we work for it?

By stating “do not work for the food that perishes”, Jesus invites us to work for that which endures beyond material satisfaction. That food which must endure for eternal life must be that which is beyond physical or material satisfaction. It is that which has a lasting effect in our lives. Jesus is that food that endures for eternal life and no other thing can give us total fulfillment except that who is complete in itself and that person is Jesus. It is a call to seek Him who is the author of life who in his presence is peace and serenity. Jesus has said, “I am the bread of life whoever comes to me will never hunger and whoever believes in me would never thirst”. This is a statement of faith and when one believes in these words of Jesus and apply it to oneself one sees the amazing satisfaction Jesus gives.

There is a connection between the first reading and the gospel in this instance. The Israelites wandering through the desert complained and grumbled about the lack of food. God rain down food from heaven that the Israelites may eat to continue their journey to the promise land. The rain of manna in the desert is a pre-figure of the multiplication of bread for the people. However, it is more than that because in the Eucharist, it is no longer bread falling from heaven but Jesus who gives us Himself to eat. This is what He did in the last supper when He took the bread and broke it and gave to the people and said, take this and eat it this is my Body which is given up for you. It is on this that Jesus makes this statement that when we eat his body we would live forever, because He lives in us to sustain us and nourish us. The experience of the people in the desert teach them to rely on God who provides for them. In the same way we are to rely on Jesus who is the bread of life that sustains us and gives us life.

The final message Jesus gives us today is to strive for that which endures for eternal life and does not pass away or perish with time but on things beyond material. Most often our attention is centered only on material things which pass away but we should reconsider our focus on things that really matter which is Jesus and life eternal which only Jesus can give.

May God give you his grace to work for things that endures and bless you and your families with peace.

Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp

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