The Gospel today begins after Jesus fed the crowd with the five loaves, and crossed the lake by walking on the water. The crowd only witnessed the miracle of the feeding but they did not know about the other miracle of Jesus walking on the sea. That’s why they wondered how Jesus got to the other side when they did not see him get into the boat with the disciples. We would like to think that seeking Jesus is something good, something to be desired.
So, why does Jesus rebuke the crowd who are looking for him: “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate you fill of the loaves.” He rebukes them because they have a wrong idea of who he is. Their focus is on earthly, temporal things, whereas Jesus is inviting them to look beyond, to move forward to put their attention on heavenly, eternal realities. “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” Jesus wants them to seek the food that only he can give, one that will last forever.
Reflecting on this, I can ask myself several questions: do I focus on what is temporary, passing, superficial? OR do I seek deeper, more solid truths that last? How is my relationship with Jesus? Do I look for him to only perform miracles, to make life easier? Or do I really believe that Jesus is the one sent by God, the very Son of God, who is God, showing me the way to the Father? Of course, this act of faith, then, has to lead me to do good works, the works of God – proclaiming my faith with my lips and my life. From heart to hand, becoming the very presence of Jesus in the world.
During these pandemic times and our extended stay-at-home order, there is undoubtedly a temptation to seek a miracle from Jesus to put a stop to this virus. But as we celebrate this Easter season in lockdown, ourselves renewed and strengthened, we are called to spiritually seek Jesus, the true bread of life, by committing ourselves, as disciples, to the Gospel vision of life, that is, a vision that summons the very best in us to work together, to be attentive to the needs of others, especially the needy – to cooperate in doing our part to defeat this pandemic. It is in our power to do that, moving from self-interest to service of the Kingdom, where all are cared for and respected.