One of the difficulties of our Christian journey is to have to understand the teachings of Jesus, given our limited human capability to understand. How can we never be hungry and never be thirsty? Even with the scientific advancements of the 21st century, there hasn’t been a discovery of a certain food or drink that can sustain us forever.
But what Jesus tells us is not about the sustenance of the body but rather, food for the soul. What seems to be universal is the hunger that is felt from within. We reach a time in our lives when we search for something more. There is this singer of Christian songs who was once interviewed. She was quite popular in her younger years as a pop singer so she was able to experience the wealth, fame and glory which a lot of people aspire. Eventually, she got married and had kids. Basing on world standards, she was truly successful. When asked what made her decide to embark on singing Christian songs, she said that she felt something was missing in her life. It was when she found her faith that she felt complete. Singing Christian songs, though not as lucrative, has become her passion as a form of thanksgiving to God.
Thus, if we allow ourselves to listen to our souls, we embark on a journey to find that which can fill that hunger within. And we do not have to go far. Jesus showed us the way. He said, “Whoever comes to me shall never be hungry and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty.”
St. Augustine expressed this hunger hauntingly with these words: “Thou hast created us for Thyself, and our heart is not quiet until it rests in Thee.”
Let us pray that we may accept the bread of life, Jesus Christ; to accept him not just in our minds but rather have the courage to live it.
