John 6: 41-5141 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
Our world is so very busy! It feels sometimes as though the life is slowly being squeezed out of Time, creating a breathless, flat mentality that carries us through our days. My mind is constantly sidetracked from the splendor of God by astoundingly trivial things. Who has time to sit and ponder religion when there is homework to be done?! The amazing sacrifice of Jesus can be pushed to the back of the mind by looming relationship problems, a very unsatisfied mother pontificating the virtues of a clean room, or the pressure of being "perfect" that seems to be taking over our society. And yet, when I stop to think, to really think about Jesus, I am overtaken with an awesome joy.
Jesus faced it all. His simple message of unconditional love was constantly shot down with skepticism and the grumbling of those set in the old ways. Sometimes, I find myself grumbling. How many of us have been so frustrated with the unpredictable circumstances of life that we throw our hands in the air and cry out "What good are you to me now, Jesus? I know you love me! I know you're up there somewhere watching over me! But right now, in this moment, that doesn't change the fact that I'm suffering." Sometimes, we forget what Jesus meant when he said "I am the bread of life." It's easy to be consumed with hunger and want nothing more than a satisfying snack. But Jesus is not the type of bread one eats greedily, and then forgets about until the next pangs of hunger. Jesus sacrificed himself so that we, these easily distracted, unworthy children, might have eternal life. One bite, and the hunger is eradicated forevermore. Our spiritual cravings to belong, to feel loved and fulfilled, have already been met, ever since the day the Son of God sacrificed himself for our sins. He did it not because we're unworthy sinners a muck with corruption, but because we are imperfect children who make mistakes, but are beloved all the same.
I invite you to take a moment of prayer. Wherever you are, pause and consider the magnitude of Jesus. Let his presence enfold you with all of its awesome power.
Father, we understand that life cannot always be "perfect." Our grumblings and complaints stem from the pressure of a world filled with doubt. Ease our suffering, Lord. Help us to realize that you are always, always with us, and that the bread of your salvation will never run out. Help us to share your love with others, to spread your message to those who are starving. Lord, open our hearts to the fact that "perfect" is not a slim body, or a nice pair of clothes, but a humble carpenter with callouses on the hands that shaped us. You are the bread of life, Jesus. Bon apetite. Amen.
Katy Lucas
