Readings: Ex. 16:2-4, 12-15; Eph. 4:17, 20-24; Jn. 6:24-35
Seek first the
kingdom of God and his Righteousness
After Jesus fed the multitude last week, they returned in search of him so that he might give them more food. To them, Jesus 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.” I can imagine how Jesus felt knowing that most of the people who flocked to him did so for selfish reasons and not because of their love for him.
Many relationships are not built on genuine love and for the right reason but on selfish motives. These relationships are based on mere fantasy, greed, and selfishness. Some people love us not for who we are but for what we can do for them. Hence, Tina Turner asked: “What has love got to do with it?” What’s love but a secondhand emotion? Jesus confronted the people who went to him for the wrong reason and encouraged them to purify their intentions. Let us be inspired by this and strive for genuine love and faith in our relationships and spiritual pursuits. What about us? Why do we go to Church? Why do we pray? What if your prayers are unanswered as and when you expect, would you still pray? Would you still attend Church when and if things do not go your way? Suppose we burn down heaven and quench the fires of hell with water; would you still need God?
In the first reading, the Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron, “Would that we had died at the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!” Despite all the Lord had done for them, they were never satisfied. They complained and whined about everything and never gave thanks for the benefits received. They wanted to return to Egypt, in slavery and bondage, so long as they had food to eat. They would willingly sacrifice their freedom at the dinner table rather than work to free themselves from the shackles of the oppressors. “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life?” (Mk. 8:36-37). According to St Paul: “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” (Phil. 3:19). They did not trust the process but were distracted by their needs and wants. Their interest was in feeding their bodies with no consideration of their souls. Most of the time, we are like the Israelites; we complain when things do not go our way. We are disappointed because our needs are not met. We feel entitled to something or position others have, so we feel jealous of their success and fortune. We do not see the bigger picture and fail to trust that God has better plans for us. He wants what is best for us. We must be patient and trust in His plan! Hence, the second reading warns us to “no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. Put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires.”
God provided food for them to show them who was in charge; He gave them bread from heaven and quail for meat. He planned to lead them to the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey, but they did not get it. And so, it is with us. We complain all the time and fail to give thanks for the blessings we received. We are always dissatisfied with what we have, so we continue accumulating more and more, filling every space in the house with clothes, shoes, and stuff. We hope that material things will fill the void in our hearts. We continue to work for the food that perishes instead of the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give us. Jeremiah the prophet describes us thus, “For my people have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns that can hold no water.” (2:13). Let us take a moment to reflect on our own lives and see if we are truly living in accordance with God's plan and provision.
St. Augustine reminds us that only God can fill our hearts. He prayed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Nothing and no one can make us happy or fill the yearning of our hearts. If we follow Christ for the wrong reason, we will be disappointed when we don’t instantly receive what we desire: good health, financial blessings, the fruit of the womb, promotion, good job, cars, and all other material things. We must “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us.” (Mt. 6:33). Material things can never satisfy us no matter how much we accumulate them. Hence, Christ warns, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Lk. 12:15). The Psalmist says it better, “In his riches, man lacks wisdom, he is like the beasts that are destroyed.” (Ps. 49). We must love God for God and worship God because he is our creator, not because we want things from him.
Indeed, this is
doing God’s work, believing in the one he has sent – Jesus Christ our Lord. He
is the bread of life, and whoever goes to him will never hunger; whoever
believes in him will never thirst. “For in him dwells the whole fullness
of the deity bodily, and you share in this fullness in him, who is the head of
every principality and power.” (Col. 2:9). To him be glory, honor,
wisdom, and power forever and ever. Amen.
Rev. Augustine
Etemma Inwang, MSP
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