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Gospel Reading for August 4, 2024 – John 6: 24-35
WAKE-UP CALL
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.” So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
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The hunger we experience from lack of food can easily be satisfied once we have eaten. Jesus speaks of HUNGER OF THE SOUL which can hardly be satisfied unless we are connected to the one who created our soul. If the bond with our creator is not maintained or worst, broken, we will forever be hungry. How long can we last until our souls will be corrupted by sin, and until we give up on life? This is the reason why we need to develop spirituality in our children as they are growing up. We need to put in their consciousness that the greater importance of life is not in material things, but in things that are beyond those we see. They need to imbibe the values of RESPECT, especially for elders; DEDICATION and COMMITMENT to goals that are set; SACRIFICE so they may give help to those in need; HELPFULNESS without need of being asked; LOVE for family despite imperfections; SPIRITUALITY, especially faith in God; HONESTY, regardless of consequences; and getting the RIGHT EDUCATION as differentiated from plain indoctrination.
All these are among the teachings of Jesus, and many, many more. Truly, Jesus is the BREAD OF LIFE that will sustain us in this journey towards heaven that has been made difficult by the presence of evil in this world. This is why Jesus is called Saviour.
It is alarming to hear that the youth of this generation easily give up on life, and how complex mental problems have become. They are the future of our country. What will happen to our country in the future? This should be a WAKE-UP CALL for parents, the academe and the Church.
Lord Jesus, may we always participate in the breaking of the bread at our Eucharistic Celebrations!
