"The True Bread of Life"

"The True Bread of Life"

Reflection on John 6:22-29 (May 5, 2025 )

In the Gospel of John, chapter 6, verses 22-29, we encounter a powerful conversation between Jesus and a crowd that is seeking Him after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. The crowd was eager for more of the physical bread Jesus provided, but Jesus redirects their focus to something far greater: the "true bread from heaven" that gives eternal life.

When the people ask Jesus, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus replies, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent” (John 6:29). In this simple yet profound answer, Jesus teaches us that the fundamental work of God is not about performing actions or fulfilling laws, but about faith—trusting in the one He sent, Jesus Christ.

The crowd initially does not understand this teaching, continuing to ask for signs and miracles. Their desire is still for the physical, for the material satisfaction that Jesus gave them in the feeding of the 5,000. But Jesus reveals that true nourishment is not found in temporal food, but in Him—the living bread that came down from heaven. He promises that whoever eats of this bread will never die, a promise that points to the eternal life He offers through His body and blood, especially in the Eucharist.

For us, this passage is a reminder that we, too, can become distracted by our earthly needs and desires, often focusing on what is temporary and fleeting. Jesus invites us to go beyond the material and seek the deeper nourishment He offers—the life-giving relationship with Him. It challenges us to ask ourselves: Are we pursuing a relationship with Jesus that goes beyond the physical, or are we seeking only what is temporary and perishable?

In a world that often values immediate gratification, Jesus' words invite us to reflect on the true meaning of life, not in things that will fade, but in the One who offers us eternal life. By believing in Him, we embrace the work that God calls us to do: trust in Jesus as the source of our spiritual sustenance.

Key Takeaway:
True fulfillment and life come not from the temporary things of this world, but from a deep, trusting relationship with Jesus, the true Bread of Life.