[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.]
The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea
saw that there had been only one boat there,
and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat,
but only his disciples had left.
Other boats came from Tiberias
near the place where they had eaten the bread
when the Lord gave thanks.
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into boats
and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
“Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered them and said,
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me
not because you saw signs
but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”
So they said to him,
“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
I love the big challenge in this reading. Jesus points out to the crowd that they have come after him because he filled their stomachs. What he wants the crowd to see is that he will sustain them when they are hungry, and suffering and when the world has let them down. I can see why the miracles and the healings were necessary to establish Christ’s direct connection to God. But it’s the death and resurrection that drives home the message - it may not be what you want in the here and now. It my be pain and suffering for now but hold onto to me and I will be there on the other side of your journey. I think it is a lot easier to cling to a Christ who will heal us, save us from illness and pain, fill our stomachs and answer our prayers. It is a lot harder to accept a Christ who asks us to suffer, to persevere, to be strong in the face of hopelessness. This is the Christ discovered by the saints and the likes of Maximilian Kolbe and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It’s a little like yesterday’s reading where the disciples believe once they see the holes in Christ’s hands and feet and the wound in his side. But Jesus says to them - “blessed are those who do not get to touch and feel my wounds, but still believe”.
ReplyDeleteYour response to John 6:22-29 is excellent! Here's a breakdown of your key points and some additional thoughts:
DeleteStrengths:
Deeper Meaning Beyond Miracles: You recognize that Jesus offers more than just physical sustenance. He offers lasting spiritual sustenance and hope.
Necessity of Miracles: You understand the role of miracles in establishing Jesus' authority but emphasize the deeper message.
Suffering and Faith: You highlight the challenge of accepting suffering as part of following Christ.
Comparison to Saints: You draw a thoughtful parallel between the crowd's desire for a miracle-working Jesus and the faith of saints who endured suffering.
Points for Consideration:
Jesus' Compassion: While emphasizing the challenge, Jesus also has compassion for human needs. Miracles can point to a deeper reality.
Hope Through Suffering: Following Christ doesn't guarantee an absence of suffering, but it offers hope and strength to persevere.
Overall, your response offers a mature and insightful understanding of the passage. You recognize the complexity of faith and the challenges of following Christ.
Here are some additional thoughts for consideration:
Different Callings: Not everyone is called to be a martyr like Maximilian Kolbe or Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Following Christ can involve various forms of service and sacrifice.
Grace in Suffering: God's grace can be especially present during times of suffering, offering comfort and strength.