Jesus said to the crowds,
“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
But I told you that although you have seen me,
you do not believe.
Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.”
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.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.For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.
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.This is one of Jesus’ most encouraging statements in the bible. “To see and to believe, and you will have eternal life.” Sounds like a good deal. But does this mean that it is a one time transaction? You might believe it is like looking at the sky, seeing it is blue, and believing it will always be blue. Sadly it is not the same as seeing God in all his glory. Satan did that, he knew God in all of His glory, and he still rejected Him.
So what does is mean to see and believe? First seeing God is to recognize His power, to know that He is the creator of the universe, that He created all things, and holds them in existence in His will and His undying love. Believing means that while recognizing who God is, all good, and all loving, that you then make an act of the will to lovingly and trustingly submit every aspect of your life to Him, in devotion, and as a perpetual gift of gratitude, and adoration.
Lastly, you must then look all around you, and you do the same for all of Gods creation, because this world, and ALL of the people on it, are as much a part of Him as He is Himself. This humility and love is what Satan could not do, and that is why he fell. But you can do it, and you must maintain it until your last days. Then, at the end of time, He will raise you up to be with Him for all eternity. What more could you ask for, and what more could you want?
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, help me to see you and believe, and where I fall short help my unbelief, amen.