Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Psalm 78:3-4,23-24, 25, 54; Ephesians 4:17,20-24; John 6:24-35
As we move into the last full month of summer, our vacation activities begin to slow. However, our scripture readings keep us engaged in a focus on the core teachings of our faith. The first two weeks we are treated to the Bread of Life discourse from John’s Gospel. This week we once again find Old Testament promises finding their fulfillment in the person of Jesus. In the First Reading, we find the Israelites grumbling to Moses about their immediate physical needs not being met, even though they had just witnessed God working miraculously to free them and lead them out of Egypt. The Israelites had not yet come to full belief in the God who had saved them. In the Gospel, those following Jesus asked for signs so that they might believe, much like their ancestors who were sent manna from Heaven. Clearly, Jesus too is the “Bread of God. . . which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” While physical hunger will always be an aspect of our humanity, we can take comfort in Jesus’ promise that if we believe in Him and put our trust in Him, He will provide us with our most basic needs. In addition, He will lead us into a life of joy and peace where His unconditional love and never ending mercy will help us to never again hunger for the things of this world.