Fulfilled

Today's Scripture

In today's Gospel passage, Jesus makes an interesting statement, and I wish I could hear His tone of voice. "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." Is He mocking them or is He just stating the facts? Is He saying that they are chasing Him down to get free food, or is He saying that they were spiritually satisfied and looking for more of it?

What really got me thinking about this is that in John's Gospel, the feed of the five thousand IS one of the signs. The sign, however, did not satisfy them. Jesus could have made double or triple or quadruple the amount of bread, but there would not have been ANY satisfaction if they did not 'eat the loaves'. It is THEN that they are filled.

The many signs and wonders of Jesus are quite a testament to who He is - but they do not result in salvation. Even those who are healed could very well fall victim to another ailment. It is when they consume what He is feeding them. When they allow it to take root in their hearts, and then in their bodies as they live out His teaching. The loaves and fish fed their bodies and gave them the energy to chase Him down. Soon, He would give them Living Bread, and then they would chase Him down with their lives, following Him everywhere He went. Doing everything He did. Including filling others.

This is the essence of the Christian life. Having life and having it to the FULL. To have this, to do this is not a Jesus and me thing. It is a JESUS and US thing. We have to be bound together. We have to work as a body works - the hand scratches the itch in the middle of the back, the legs carry the arms to someone who needs an embrace, the mouth consumes what will satisfy the stomach, and the stomach turns this food to energy for all in the body. (please pardon the very approximate use of biology here). This is why He gives us His Body - so that He can continue to love the world, physically and spiritually.

Allow yourself to be filled. Today and the next day. Feast on His words and on His Body that He offers to us. Believing in Him means believing that this will empower us to love Him and follow His commands. Be filled. Fill others. Be fulfilled.