Feeding the Soul
Jesus told the crowd, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” Jn 6:24-35
18th Ordinary Sunday Cycle B
The crowd followed Jesus after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 on the mountain because Jesus filled their stomachs. Thus, Jesus reminded them that besides their bodies their souls also require feeding. That was the reason why He preached to them his sermon on the mount after giving them bread. They were only after the bread Jesus multiplied for them.
That was also the case among the Hebrews in the desert. They were complaining because their stomachs were empty. Yahweh nevertheless gave them not only manna but quails for meat. But clearly in their complaints they are in greater need for spiritual food. Ex 16:2-4, 12-15
Thus, in his letter to the Ephesians St Paul reminded them to leave their pagan aimless kind of life; to renew themselves in the spirit. They have followed Christ not for deceitful desires but for holiness and true righteousness. Eph 4:17, 20-24
In the same gospel episode Jesus spoke in advance of giving His flesh as the Bread of Life. This He would do only at the Last Supper – which Leonardo da Vinci perpetuated in his beautiful painting in a monastery in Milan.
May we thus be reminded to follow Christ not for anything corporeal but for the correct spiritual reasons. As we have responded today in the Psalm “God gives us bread not of the earth but from heaven”.
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