If today your hear his voice, harden not your hearts. — Psalm 95:8
Mass readings: Exodus 17:3-7 / Romans 5:1-2,5-8 / John 4:5-42 or 4:5-15,19-26,39,40-42
Jesus speaks metaphorically in today’s Gospel, declaring His food is doing God’s will and challenging us to examine the nature of this will through its similarity to food.
Appetite is a good indicator of health: able-bodied people crave food; the spiritually healthy crave God’s will. Food provides a framework for daily living with breakfast, lunch and dinner as highlights; God’s will structures the spiritual life. Food has social dimensions: it’s more enjoyable when shared with others; God’s will fosters community-mindedness as we share the Good News with our neighbors. Food goes hand-in-hand with thanksgiving; so does God’s will. Both are life-giving. We spend much money on food; we’re called to spend our lives doing God’s will. We love food; Jesus says, “Love God’s will!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give us the spiritual tonic necessary to increase our appetite for God’s will.