The Search for Jesus by People

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eighteenth Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 6:24-35*

*First Reading : Ex 16:2-4, 12-15*

*SECOND READING - Eph 4:17, 20-24*

*The Search for Jesus by People*

*1) The search for Jesus*

The Gospel of the day begins with the aspect of *Search* for Jesus 

The aspect of search is very important and very much needed aspect in our life 

In other words, search for Jesus must become one of the important aspect of our life

If this aspect is missed from our life then life has no meaning 

*2) The purpose of Searching*

The Gospel also highlights the purpose of Searching for Jesus 

Those people came in search  of Jesus for the sake of food. 

In other words the main purpose of their was to have material things, especially the food, since they had tasted the delicious food when Jesus fed the five thousand, with five loaves of bread and two fish 

*3) The very low purpose*

The purpose of those people who searched for Jesus was very low or very silly purpose 

According to Jesus they were searching Jesus to have food, that parishes within no time 

The search for Jesus to have this food clearly shows the attachment for the material things 

*4) Jesus enlightens them to have greater purpose*

Jesus uses this opportunity to teach the people to have higher and best purpose in their search for Jesus 

Jesus tells them search me to have eternal food which gives eternal life and not the food that parishes 

So Jesus is enlightening every one to correct our purpose to have these higher goals 

*5) The search of Zacchaeus, Mary and Others*

We have beautiful stories of the search of Jesus by various people

Zacchaeus was a healthy man. He came in sersch of Jesus not for material needs

He searched Jesus for higher purpose, to have divine experience, to change his life, to return to those whom he had chested earlier, to find real happiness

Finally Zacchaeus found these divine treasures from Jesus 

Mary searched Jesus to pour her sinful life and to experience God's mercy at the House of Simon the Pharisee. 

At the resurrection of Jesus once again she searches Jesus not for material needs but to experience his divine love and intimacy

Apart from these there were many like Jairus, Syrophoenician woman and others who searched Jesus not for material needs but for greater things. 

All of them experienced the divine love and mercy of Jesus 

*6) Food that endures for eternal life*

Jesus refers this food in today's Gospel. This food has the following reference 

Celebration of Eucharist 

The sacrament of reconciliation

The reading for the scripture

Practicing the Gospel values 

The aspect of charity, service, sacrifice, prayer etc 

*7) Our Search for Jesus* 

In fact all of us search Jesus in our life on day today basis 

The purpose of our search may be different. 

Most of the time our search for the material things. This is clear in our prayer. Our prayer consists of asking many material things   rather than asking for eternal things 

Today we need to check the purpose of our search for Jesus 

Do I search Jesus? If at all I search, what is the purpose behind it??   

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*