John 6:30-35

Lectio (Reading)

Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.

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.”

Meditatio (Reflecting)

Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.

I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

Oratio (Responding)

Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.

Never hungering or ever thirsting…, I presume that that is what heaven will be like. All our needs will be attended to. We will not want for anything. But I presume that He also means this to apply today, in this world right now. That however, is harder to understand.

In this world we have to eat and drink, and labor, and struggle. I don’t expect that if I simply come to you, and believe, that you will take care of all of my needs right now? I dont consider you my celestial butler, and I know that if I do not work, I cannot feed my family, or pay for the mortgage, or have the time to read and study about you.

So I think rather that the real answer is like Augustine wrote. “God provides the wind, man must raise the sail”. So this is what I do. I try to cooperate with God in all my labor, and as a result He provides everything I need. We are not all called to be beggars like St. Francis. So I believe that the answer is a combination of the two extremes, somewhere in between. We will struggle and strive to survive, working hard, but doing so with faith and trust in the lord.

In the end, combining that righteous labor with the humble and reverent reception of your sacraments, and the eucharist, you will open up the gates of heaven, and give us the opportunity of eternity with you. And in that eternal life of heaven, we will find that all of our needs are completely fulfilled.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.

Oh lord, Illuminate my mind and help me to believe to the extent that is required to obtain this eternal happiness with you. Amen.