Readings: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Psalm 78; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35
Grace, mercy and peace to you dear family of God’s people.
Today’s Gospel is a continuation of what we read last week. Jesus fed the multitude and when they wanted to make Him a king, “a bread-king,” He ran away.
The people seemed to have gone away and invited more people to come and eat free tasty bread and fish but they didn’t see Jesus where they thought He was. So they got into boats and some went round on foot from Tiberias to Capernaum to look for Him.
When they saw Him, the first question was “Rabbi, when did you come here?” In other words, “Have we missed any meal? Have you shared anything before our arrival?”
Jesus who knew their motives for searching for Him used the opportunity to teach all of us some very crucial life lessons.
The miracle of the bread was just a sign to point to the person of Jesus – He is the Bread of Life, the food for our souls. He is the One who also satisfies our deepest hunger for love, acceptance, forgiveness, truth and meaning.
Sadly, the people got the signs but missed the message.
Jesus taught them and all of us not to spend all their energy, passion and life working for things that will not last, things that are temporal and fleeting, things that won’t survive the grave. We should seek what will last, things that are eternal.
Dear friends, this is a great lesson for us, today, Jesus challenges us to ask ourselves these questions:
What do we live for fundamentally?
What are our priorities in life?
Do we expend all our energy and time living and working for food that will not last?
What does it mean to live for or work for food that doesn’t last?
This is when we work so hard and live ultimately for:
A. Material acquisitions and wealth.
B. For bodily satisfaction – food, drink, sexual pleasure.
C. For fame, to make a name for ourselves, for recognition, to be greater and better than others and to be praised by people (feeding our ego).
D. To be loved, celebrated and admired by people.
E. Impression and reputation – to look good, to please people or be seen as a good person.
All these are only earthly, temporal and unenduring. They are not bad in themselves but they must not be ultimate in our lives.
The Second Reading of today calls for a revolution in our judgement, vision, perception and values. It challenges us to a new vision of life, a new understanding of purpose. We must start living for a greater purpose and stop living aimlessly.
It is time to start living for a greater purpose, for food that will last.
We should not spend all our energies in buying properties and investing in this world and yet be poor in the sight of God.
We must not expend our lives trying to look good or be loved by people. We should be more concerned about how we are before God.
It is vain to burn fat and cholesterol, when we are not burning sins and vices. Of what use is it to be slim, build a six-pack and be fit physically but to be in bad spiritual shape?
Why do we labour so hard for earthly recognition and yet are not concerned about being recognised and celebrated in heaven?
It is vain to be successful in a career without having a relationship with God – this should be our ultimate career.
We must start labouring for the food that will last, for what is not temporal or fleeting.
How?
I. By seeking to glorify God first in all things. This means the self must go behind and our greatest concern must be to honour, praise and glorify God. (Matthew 10:32).
II. We must work to make an impact in the lives of people, to be a blessing to people, to be the “Amen” to their prayers, to make the lives of others better.
Whatever we do, must be done in the spirit of worship to God and service to humanity. Thus, our good works on earth will be sown for an eternal harvest. Jesus says, “whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me“ (Matthew 25:40).
III. Food that will last is doing the will of God for us. Jesus says my food is to do the will of my Father (John 4:34). Doing our will and following our desires without consideration for God’s will cannot bring us the joy, peace and satisfaction we desire.
IV. In everything we do, we must keep heaven in mind, we must ask the question “How is this going to benefit, help or aid my salvation?” This is what I call the kingdom value of work or action. That is, working with the kingdom in mind, doing all with the vision of and for the sake of God’s kingdom. It is seeking God’s kingdom first in all that we do and avoiding all that will jeopardise it (Matthew 6:33).
This is what it means to work for the food that will last.
Lord Jesus, help us to seek you as the only one who can satisfy the hunger of our souls, as the bread of life from heaven. Help us to live and to work for food that will last, food that is eternal, Amen.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on August 4, 2024.