It’s easy to see why the crowds followed Jesus. He was attentive to their physical needs and performed miracles. In this Gospel, however, it is clear that the people “don’t get it.” They searched for Jesus and wanted another sign – they wanted to be fed again to fullness and be dazzled. What was Jesus’ response? “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life” (John 6:27). And what was his answer to their question of how to accomplish the works of God? “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent” (John 6:29).
What do we ask for when we ask for a “sign” God’s blessings? A bigger house? More money? Greater job status? None of these are intrinsically bad, but it is easy to lose sight of the fact they these aren’t life’s most important things. They will not endure. They will not fill the hunger that goes beyond our physical needs. They easily can become distractions from what is our true work, having faith in the One sent by God.
Faith is hard work. We don’t really think about that until something challenges us in our effort to keep our faith – the illness or death of a loved one, unemployment, a natural disaster. Just as the “good things” in life can be distracting, so are the difficulties and harsh realities of living in this world. During times like these, keeping faith is work.
Jesus’ answer to the crowd when they asked about material and tangible things called them, as it calls us, to see things differently. Jesus is the only “sign” necessary. While the crowd wanted the bread that satisfied their physical hunger, he wanted them to understand that he was the bread that satisfies all hunger.
When have you asked God for a sign? What was it, and what were the circumstances?
Adapted from PrayerTime: Faith-Sharing Reflections on the Sunday Gospels, available at the RENEW International store