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E
ASTER
W
EEKDAY
Acts of the Apostles 6:8-15
Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30
John 6:22-29
S
UMMARY
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."
R
EFLECTION
In the Gospel, the crowd goes looking for Jesus, who has walked across the sea
to the other side of the shore. When they find Him, He calls them out on the car-
pet, revealing that they didn't come looking for Him because they believed He
was the Messiah, but because he performed the miracle of Loaves and Fishes.
In other words, they were hungry and wanted some food. He scolds them, "Do
not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life . . ."
Like that crowd, I too most often seek-out Jesus when I need something. Good
old fashioned "petition prayer", asking, "Oh please, Jesus, help me to . . .";
"Jesus, please give me . . ."; "Jesus, just this once can You . . ."
Now, there can be no doubt that the power of petition is tremendous and can
move mountains. Or that Jesus wants to help us out. After all, He gave His own
life that we might live. Talk about the ultimate "helping us out." But, what about
prayer without looking for something? Without asking for something? Without
wanting something? Prayer in praise, or thanksgiving, or in contrition.
When I'm feeling overwhelmed or down, it always helps me to list all the things
for which I am grateful. Of course, this is a form of prayer. After all, to Whom
are you grateful?? I can do this verbally, in writing or mentally. My husband, Ka-
rey, and I enjoy verbalizing to each other things that happened to us over the
course of the day for which we are grateful. Sometimes, I enjoy making a list in
my journal. If I'm stuck in traffic, I mentally make a list. (Ok, sometimes I list
them aloud. People in the cars next to me just think I'm talking on the phone.)