Word to the Wise
Monday, April 15, 2024 - 3rd Week of Easter - Mon
[Acts 6:8-15 and John 6:22-29]"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 them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." [John]
The multiplication of the loaves and fishes sets the scene for what will provide the gospel scriptures for this whole week. The "Bread of Life discourse" will take us to the unique center of Catholic faith and theology - the Eucharist.
The action begins with Jesus confronting his questioners with their misunderstanding of what happened with the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. He is not some kind of walking bakery! The focus in the Gospel According to John is not on the multiplication itself but on the one who performs it. It is a "sign" that points to him. The goal of the sign is faith in Jesus. He is the food of eternal life. The dialogue with the audience (which could include us as well) will move step by step to a remarkable and challenging truth.
The ultimate goal of the Gospel According to John is to awaken faith in the one whom God has sent. [John 20:30-31]. Today we are told that to "do the works of God" we must "believe in the one he sent." At the end of the week [Saturday], Jesus will ask his disciples [and us], "Does this shock you?" and "Do you also want to leave?" It is a life and death decision. Do we really want to do the works of God? Stay tuned! AMEN