From the Gospel according to 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.”

What Am I Hungry For?

The human heart has a hunger for the infinite, because we come from God and are called to encounter Him. Man may mistakenly try to satisfy this hunger with the goods of this world — both material and emotional — but this always leaves him unsatisfied and empty.

In my marriage, I too may seek my spouse to be that bread which satisfies me as food that perishes. When my love seeks only personal fulfilment, financial security, an orderly life, something that makes me “happy”, it is reduced to a consumer good and ultimately leaves me empty.

Yet the food that endures is the Grace of God. It is loving my spouse not for what they give me, but because they are a gift from God. Knowing this, and with the desire to discover together each day what His Plan is — even in situations we do not like — we will be able to respond to the God who loved us first.

Brought into Married Life

Beth: We’ve been rushing about all week. We talk about nothing but the children’s schedules, work problems, things around the house…

Andrew: You’re right, Beth. I feel that I often expect you to give me peace of mind, to take care of the children’s logistics… so that I can focus on my work. Deep down, that’s where I place my security, and I’m sorry for that.

Beth: I also often look to you to fill my insecurities, and when you don’t, I get upset… and we drift apart from each other.

Andrew: What do you think if we place this in God’s hands? The Lord has given us to one another so that we may reach Him together, not just to get through day by day.

Beth: That sounds wonderful, my love. We are learning so much from the catecheses of Saint John Paul. Let’s bring them into our daily lives. By making a small effort each day and living in a state of grace, the Lord always gives us a hundredfold. We have our own experience, and that of so many married couples who have achieved it. The goal is Love with a capital “L”. I’m so full of hope.

Mother,

May we seek to satisfy our hunger through faith. May we place all our trust in your Son. Praised be God.