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Signs of Faith or Magic?
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.
Do I have faith in Jesus? What do I look for when it comes to faith? Is it the case that I only look for Jesus when I need something (which because of my sinfulness is always) or do I seek out Jesus because what I know I need most of all is a faithful relationship with Jesus.
Those in today’s gospel have witnessed wonderful and amazing things. Jesus has fed thousands with nothing. He shows that He is truly God. But do the people see the signs of the multiplication of the loaves as something that shows forth the divinity of Christ, or do they simply see it as a magic trick?
Truth is Jesus still feeds untold numbers of people with bread. He pours out the gift of Himself in the Eucharist because of His deep and unconditional love for us and His Church. The challenge, however, remains the same. Do we go to Mass, receive the Eucharist because it leads us to a deeper faith in the Bread of Life? Or do we do so as an obligation?
Jesus reminds us that whenever He is present, the purpose is a sign or signs that lead to faith. How often do we hear the phrase, “Your faith has saved you” in the gospel? How often do we see the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, as the ultimate invitation from the one who can save us?
The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. So it is quite reasonable for us to do the same. We too need the grace and love of God to grow in our relationship in the deeply important priority of life: an eternal relationship with the Lord Jesus Himself, leading us to everlasting life. Have confidence in this quest, since you are always in the holy presence of God.
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