In last week’s Gospel, Jesus multiplied the loaves and fed the multitude of people. This week, Jesus tells us not to work for food that perishes, but for food that will last forever. While we need food to keep our bodies healthy, we should primarily strive to keep our souls happy and healthy.
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never grow hungry, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” By believing in and following Jesus, we nourish ourselves spiritually. However, we also find nourishment by partaking in the Eucharistic feast. We often look to many worldly things to satisfy us, but only by partaking in the nourishment Jesus offers can we be permanently and perfectly satisfied.
Many things lead people to depression. Some can’t find someone to love and feel lonely. Others worry about their finances or health. Still, others feel like they don’t fit in. By embracing Jesus and making our relationship with Him our top priority, we can significantly reduce sadness and depression.
My family and I just returned from New Orleans, Louisiana, which is known for its good food. We ate at many great restaurants, but we eventually got hungry again. Even though we were on vacation, we prioritized attending Mass on Sunday. When my work schedule occasionally prevents me from attending Mass, I feel spiritually hungry the following week. It’s important to get our daily bread by visiting Jesus in the Mass as often as possible. When we allow Jesus to nourish us, we gain the spiritual energy to hold back the evil that threatens to steer us off course.
