18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Exo 16:2-4,12-15
Jn 6:24-35
‘…you are not looking for me because you have seen the signs…’
Brothers and sisters, in today’s Gospel, Jesus makes it clear that he is interested in our motives even more than our actions.
While the crowds had sought Jesus out by getting into their boats and crossing to Capernaum to look for him, Jesus knew their motives for seeking him. And he was far from impressed by them. When they appear to innocently ask him when he had arrived, instead of answering the question, Jesus immediately reveals the truth of their motives for seeking him:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
you are not looking for me because you have seen the signs
but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat.’
Jesus knew that they were following him for immediate things that he could do for them. They were there for instant gratification of the flesh, be it miraculous healings of illness, or bread to fill their stomachs. They were not seeking him because they appreciated the signs: the greater truth which the miracles Jesus performed pointed to.
The truth which Jesus was pointing the crowds to was to seek the bread of heaven and the kingdom of heaven. However, in order to do that, the people had to have the right motivation. So, what is the right motivation? 1 Thessalonians 2:4 says, “Our purpose is to please God…” In other words, we must give up any motivation that originates in our sinful flesh as this is not pleasing to God (Romans 8:8). We must believe in Christ as our bread of life. We must seek and receive him as daily manna through surrendering our hearts to him. We must have faith that he is the eternal source of provision for today, tomorrow, and all eternity. In the words of C.S. Lewis, we must let our relying on God begin all over again every day, as if nothing had yet been done.
Today, let us take some time to reflect on our motivations for seeking God. Do we ask with wrong motives when we seek God out? To receive blessings only to satisfy the desires of our flesh? Or do we walk with the Spirit and look for him as daily manna? Do we truly desire to please him and not ourselves? May we always strive to seek him with the right motives.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stacey Fernandez)
Prayer: Lord, I pray that you give me a heart which only desires to please you each and every day.
Thanksgiving: Jesus, I thank you for loving me so much and being the eternal source of provision for me today, tomorrow, and all eternity.
OXYGEN 
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