Reflection for April 20 Monday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:22-29

Gospel: John 6:22-29

[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. 

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “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. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

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Reflection:

Do we still make time to reflect on the present state of our spiritual life? In the midst of our busy days and countless responsibilities, we are invited to pause and look within—to ask ourselves whether we are still living a life anchored in purpose, a life centered on Jesus.

Oftentimes, we find ourselves caught up in the pursuit of security and success. We spend our energy thinking about how we can earn more, achieve more, and prepare for a future in this world. Yet, in doing so, do we slowly lose sight of the One who gives true meaning to our lives?

If our hearts are fixed only on earthly concerns, we risk becoming people shaped entirely by this world—forgetting that our lives are meant for something greater, something eternal. We begin to overlook the quiet but essential truth that our relationship with Jesus is not just a part of our life—it is the very foundation of it.

As we journey together through life, we remember how faithfully we care for our physical needs. We nourish our bodies so that we may remain strong and healthy. But do we give the same attention to our souls? Do we nourish our spirits with prayer, reflection, and a deep encounter with Jesus? Our souls, too, hunger and thirst—not for the things of this world, but for the presence of God.

Why do we follow Jesus? Is it because we hope to receive material blessings, to enjoy comfort, and to gain what this world can offer? Or do we follow Him because we long for something more—because we desire to be filled with His love, His truth, and His life?

In the Gospel, we see how the crowd followed Jesus, not because they sought spiritual nourishment, but because they desired their physical hunger to be satisfied. And perhaps, if we are honest with ourselves, we may find a reflection of our own hearts in theirs.

Are we truly following Jesus for who He is, or are we only seeking Him for what He can give us—and if everything else is taken away, will we still choose to follow Him?—Marino J. Dasmarinas