Gospel: John 6:22-29
Next day, the people, who had stayed on the other side, realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples; but rather, the disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias landed near the place where all these people had eaten the bread. When they saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Master, when did you come here?”Jesus answered, “Truly, I say to you, you look for me, not because of the signs which you have seen, but because you ate bread and were satisfied. Work then, not for perishable food, but for the lasting food which gives eternal life. The Sonof Man will give it to you, for he is the one on whom the Father has put his mark.”Then the Jews asked him, “What shall we do? What are the works that God wants us to do?” And Jesus answered them, “The work God wants is this: that you believe in the One whom God has sent.”

Reflections

“Believe in the One whom God has sent.”Many people look for Jesus. He fed them the other day. When Jesus sees them coming again at Capernaum, he asks them to purify their motives. They should not be looking from him food to eat. That is not his main business, but to believe in him. They should level up their priorities. God has proven that he takes care of their material needs. Now the people should recognize that God wants them also to avail of the spiritual food he is offering, which is imperishable.This food is none other than believing that Jesus is God-sent to nourish them. If they do not accept Jesus in their lives, they will remain on the lower and material level forever. Jesus wants them to experience fullness of life with God.Many of us get stuck with mate- rial benefits for joining groups with their charismatic leaders promising us material benefits. We are not aware that if we fall into their scheme, they got richer. We benefit a little.Jesus wants religion to be focused on our relationship with Jesus and with God, not on the tangible material benefits. Religion that does not deepen our spiritual life is a false religion.
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