In today’s gospel we find ourselves on “the other side of the sea” with the crowd. Having been miraculously fed, they ardently search for Jesus, crossing the sea in search for Him. From this gospel we can reflect on what truly matters in our own pursuit.
The crowd’s initial zeal is driven by a desire for more physical sustenance. They seek Jesus not because of his teachings or salvation but because they want their bellies filled again. Jesus, however, challenges them to move beyond bodily satisfaction to seek a deeper nourishment that satisfies the soul. I ask this question: how many of us would go to God again if all our physical needs are met?
The “other side of the sea” can be understood as a metaphor for a transformed perspective. It’s about reaching a place of maturity where we value spiritual sustenance over fleeting physical satisfaction. This doesn’t diminish the importance of our physical needs, but it reminds us that there’s a deeper hunger within us, a longing for connection with something greater than ourselves.
