The Gospel according to John (6:30-35)
The crowd said to Jesus:
“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 Jesus,
“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.”
Reflection:
My friends, we began making our way through John chapter 6 this past Friday. The next few days will focus on the last half of the chapter, the “Bread of Life Discourse”, and I’m sure my brother deacons will share about what that really means. I’d like to focus on the “sign” that the crowd was asking for from Jesus.
The end of yesterday’s Gospel has the crowd asking Jesus, “what must we do, to be accomplishing the works of God?” And, Jesus’ answer is to “believe in him who he has sent.” That’s the backdrop for today’s “sign”. On the one hand, it’s easy to say that it is pretty crazy to think that, having seen Jesus just walk on the Sea, and feed five thousand and more with just a few loaves and fish, they *still* need a sign.
The crowd really represents each one of us, you know. We have great expectations for how God will act in our lives, but we do seem to have a short memory span for the times God *does* act in our lives. During this Easter time, we have the most amazing way Jesus demonstrates God’s love for us – His own sacrifice – His suffering, death and resurrection – but isn’t it easy for us to make that same question to God. “Yes, we know that Jesus came from You to save us, but what have You done about this situation or that concern or that problem in my life?”
Now, I don’t expect any of us to magically (or otherwise) retain our memory of all the good that God does in our world, and in our lives – but maybe we can be intentional as our pastor says, and take time right now to consider those gifts large and small, and to be thankful for them. Let us take time right now to tell God how much we appreciate His presence and His gifts. When we do that, how can we help but be more attuned to observing and listening for those little miracles each day? My prayer for all of you is that you see a “God moment” today. Ask God to show that to you! Maybe, you can be a sign of God’s presence by some kindness you do today. What a wonderful way to be a part of God’s mission of love in the world!
Action for the Day:
I did give this away, but take time right now (or whenever you can today) and ponder the blessings God has given you, and how He truly does walk with you today. Then, ask Him to help you be a sign of His love to someone else today.
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