Have you ever been hungry for something but couldn’t quite identify what it was? Maybe you’ve seen enticing ads on TV, gone to the refrigerator, and found yourself staring at various items, feeling a sense of hunger – but not for the melon or the chicken in front of you. Or perhaps you’ve felt a thirst for something, but couldn’t pinpoint what it was?
To put it another way: Even if you have everything you need—family, a job, financial stability—do you still feel like something is missing? If so, today’s scripture readings might offer you a crucial message, reminding us of something we often forget.
There are two types of hunger: physical and spiritual. Last week, we read about physical hunger when Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. Now, this same crowd is searching for Him again, seeking another miracle, hoping for more bread.
Imagine how disheartened Jesus must have felt. He came to offer humanity a deeper truth, an eternal relationship with the Father, and a life filled with meaning and purpose. Yet, the people were focused only on temporary, perishable food that would leave them hungry again in a few hours.
This pattern repeats throughout the Gospel. People come to Jesus for physical healing, but leave spiritually unfulfilled. For example, ten lepers were healed, but only one returned to give thanks—ten asked for healing, but only one expressed gratitude.
We still fall into this trap today. We often overlook the presence of God for trivial things that won’t last. For instance, a couple planning their wedding might be more concerned about the number of bridesmaids and the length of the service rather than the sacramental significance of their marriage. Similarly, when choosing godparents for a baptism, the focus may shift to social status rather than whether the godparents can exemplify Christian life.
Much like the people during Jesus’ ministry, we often prioritize material comforts and physical needs over spiritual ones. Given the pressures of modern life—media messages about appearance, wealth, and status—it’s easy to get caught up in these concerns. Shifting our focus requires adopting new priorities.
We also tend to approach God as if He were a provider of material blessings. Many TV preachers promise health, wealth, and happiness in exchange for faith and financial contributions. But when these promises aren’t fulfilled, people sometimes question or abandon their faith, feeling that God has let them down.
However, this doesn’t mean that Jesus is indifferent to our daily struggles. He understands human needs and met them throughout His earthly life. Yet, He offers even more. He invites us into a deeper relationship with Him.
Today’s Gospel underscores this truth. If we view God merely as a provider of material goods or temporary relief, we miss the essence of His offer. Material possessions and physical well-being do not guarantee peace or fulfillment. True satisfaction comes from Christ, the Bread of Life, who nourishes us spiritually. He promises that those who come to Him will never be hungry or thirsty again, for He is the way, the truth, and the life. Believe me, my friends, there is no other.
