Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
The Gospel today tells us that the people were looking for Jesus. This happened after the miracle of the multiplication of bread and fish wherein more than five thousand were able to eat. Jesus frankly told them that they were looking for Him only because they were able to eat, not because of the miracle they witnessed (Jn 6:26).
The people's search for Christ symbolizes the people's search for God. From the very beginning of his life, man has been searching for someone who can provide all that he needs in order to live. Since he met God and realized His power, man has been in pursuit of Him. Man searches for God because he needs Him.
This immature faith is rampant throughout Christianity. Many of us call on God only in times of material need. We only see God as the Great Provider of our necessities in life. This faith is immature and can easily crumble when faced with difficulties. If this is the kind of faith of all Christians, no Christian would be found among the poor.
When the Jews who were hungry approached Him, Jesus revealed to them a greater hunger which they often neglect. This is the hunger of the soul. Every soul longs for God's embrace but this yearning is neglected because of physical hunger and of the hunger for worldy things.
Jesus did not correct our perception of God as Provider of our needs. He only wanted us to direct our attention to the greater reason why we needed God. Indeed, we need Him in order to live in this world, but for how long will we live here? More than for our survival here on earth, we need God to save our souls, to nourish us with the bread which gives eternal life.
Jesus says that He is the life-giving bread. In receiving Him, we can want nothing more. Let us first seek the life that He gives to our souls. Let us establish a good relationship with Him. Let us prioritize the hunger of our soul and He will provide us with everything else we could ever need (Mt 6:33). Only in Him can we find rest for our hearts ("Confessions" by St. Augustine of Hippo), and in accepting Him, we receive eternal life where we will never go hungry nor thirsty (Jn 6:35)
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