Daily Reflection – 4/24/2023
Sacred Scripture
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.” (John 6:22-29)
Reflection
What do you want for the rest of your life?
Most of us will answer that question in terms of the things of this world and/or coupled with health and safety for our family and friends.
That is all good and to be expected. We live in a material world, and it is this world that makes up our actions.
In today’s scripture Jesus gently rebukes those who have been following Him and points out that that their focus must not be on this world alone.
Rather each Christian must seek the gifts that lie in eternal life. After all, is that not why Jesus Christ came and died ?
Think again about this line of scripture: ” 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.”
That, my friends, is our individual call to action.
Believing in the works of God is more than a prayer or going to Church. It takes committing our whole selves, not just believing in our head, or not just believing when it is clear or easy but committing our life to living out His word?
Jesus reminds us that when we do commit ourselves, we enter into a new relationship with God which, in turn, brings us to a new kind of life:
A life of love and service, and the forgiveness of others which corresponds to God’s mercy and kindness; a life of holiness and purity which corresponds to God’s holiness; and a life of submission and trust which corresponds to the wisdom of God. This is the work which Jesus directs us to and enables us to perform in the power of the Holy Spirit.
You and I are to be His servants in the life of living out His word. Being a servant is not a step down from this world. We serve Him by bringing His love, His peace, His hope. That was important then and it is even more important in this world. Look around each day and think of what you can do to bring His light into a situation where there is only darkness.
My soul leaps at that opportunity. To wake up each day and simply say “ I live to serve you Lord. Guide me today into whereover I should be to bring your love and your peace.”
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, you alone can satisfy the deepest longing and hunger in our hearts. May we always hunger for the imperishable bread, that we may be satisfied in you alone as the True Bread of Heaven. Nourish and strengthen us that we may serve you with great joy, generosity, and zeal all the days of our life”.
Daily Note
Reflect, today, upon your desire to seek Jesus, or lack thereof. When you can begin to seek out Jesus simply because you love Him and want to love Him more, you are on the right road. And as you walk down that road, you find it is a road of the utmost delight and fulfillment.
