Scripture Readings: Jeremiah 17.19-27 and John 6.16-27
“Jesus
answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw
the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.’” (John 6.26)
The
scripture from John 6.16-27 tells of Jesus being sought out by the crowd of
5,000, after having fed them miraculously in Capernaum. The people search after
Jesus mysteriously disappears with his disciples overnight. Jesus attributes
their inquiry into his disappearance as a hunt for He, the bread of life,
rather than a search for He, the miracle-maker.
During
the season of Lent, the most common action that I pursue is to give something
up. They are usually familiar temptations, such as sodas or sweets, although I
would much rather abstain from homework. But throughout the course of the
season, the desire allows me to reflect on the reasons for which I am resisting
these sugary foods.
In
my busy schedule as a high schooler, it is difficult to maintain a close
relationship with God, and the time of Lent is a time for me to reconnect to
God. I relate my yearning to indulge in the sugary foods to the hunger for
Jesus, the bread of life. And, experience shows, absence makes the heart grow
fonder.
Michael Smith, Variations and Higher Ground member
