In today’s Gospel reading Jesus tells us that prayer is the nourishment of faith. Believing is ‘the work of God’. It is what God wants of us. It is also what God works in us. God nourishes the roots of faith in us when we pray. The people were seeking Jesus for free food, not spiritual truths. As soon as Jesus begins to explain that his miracles are only meant to teach, they lose interest. As Jesus continues to teach, they ask him how to do the works that God requires. Jesus answers “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent”. This does not mean work has no value or that Jesus is endorsing laziness.

Rather, his point is that all material things will eventually pass away. Instead of being consumed with things like food or another spectacle, we ought to be concerned with eternal rewards. Jesus 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 him alone as the True Bread from heaven.

PRAYER: Abba Father, nourish and strengthen us that we may serve you with joy, generosity and zeal. Amen.