March 20, 2007

John 6:16-27
16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.

22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the lake saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."

“Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures…”
I am reminded that when I place my instincts first, I am placing the cart before the horse. Satisfaction of my hungers is temporary and sometimes leaves a still larger hole to fill. My life is full and I feel blessed but I also feel busy and frenetic. When I forget that this life is a gift and instead treat it like a series of obstacles to be overcome, I have it very backward indeed. And yet I am aware that responsibilities rest with me – the safety and wellness of my family, the comfort of my home, the expectations at work – and I must tend to them. It is easy to dismiss everyday miracles out of hand and instead focus on my own needs but in those moments of being overwhelmed, fearful or angry, I want to remember that my faith and beliefs will go far in satiating my hunger. - LOS