THROUGH UNTRUE

We often think of food as fuel for the body. We thus prefer food that is easily accessible and quickly consumable. This explains the popularity of fast food, which is pre-packaged, ready-to-eat, microwavable, easily ordered online, and delivered fast. It meets our demand for efficiency, economy, and speed. The downside is, it reduces eating to mere feeding. We become like any other animal whose main reason for eating is survival.

Is it not sad that we can rattle off the names of fast-food outlets but we have lost sight of its deeper significance in our life?  Consumerism makes us look at food from a utilitarian perspective and forget the reverence it deserves. 

Today's Gospel reading seems to justify our obsession with fast food. It narrates that when Jesus was preaching to a large crowd in a desolate place, the disciples advised Jesus to turn them away because they were getting restless due to hunger. Instead of doing that, Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish that a little boy in the crowd had. He multiplied these to such great numbers that, after the multitude was fed, twelve baskets of leftovers were collected (John 6:1-15).

Some will conclude from this story that Jesus invented fast food. The truth is, Jesus performed this miracle not primarily to alleviate the crowd's hunger. The continuation of this Gospel narrative shows Jesus scolding the crowd, saying, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the miracles I performed 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" (John 6:26-27).

By demonstrating his ability to provide abundantly from scant resources, Jesus wanted them to trust in divine providence rather than obsess over food alone. The miracle symbolizes the abundance that flows from faith, generosity, and divine grace.

For us today whose food security is always threatened by typhoons and other calamities, the multiplication of the loaves encourages us to recognize our collective responsibility toward one another. The example of the little who willingly offered his bread and fish to Jesus, prompts us to cultivate a spirit of compassion and solidarity, understanding that our actions can have a ripple effect of abundance and blessing for others. 

Moreover, Jesus wants us to learn an insight about food that we often take for granted.  Have you ever thought that before we can eat something, it has to die first? What we call food is another living being that has died before we pounded, butchered, skewered, steamed, broiled, or baked it. The very nature of food teaches us how the flower arises from a dead seed, the phoenix from ashes, eternity from time, and life from death.

This is perhaps why, when Jesus wanted to make Himself and His memory linger in our hearts, He offered Himself as food. Like all food, Jesus died to give us life. “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never hunger; he who believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6: 34–35). 

Jesus offers himself as the only one who can satisfy our deepest longings. Through this miracle, Jesus invites us to partake in a relationship with him that transcends earthly desires and leads to eternal fulfillment.

Today, before you take the first bite of your favorite fast food, call to mind the words of Jesus which the priest utters while consecrating the Bread and the Wine: “Do this in memory of ME.” It means, “Remember it is I whom you hunger for!”