In today's gospel pericope, we continue to unfold the drama, the revelation that Jesus wishes to teach concerning gratitude. After teaching the very large crowd for great lengths, an all day homily, then miraculously providing for their physical hungers, Jesus had attempted to retreat with his disciples for some much needed rest, but the crowds pursued him.

AS he comes to Jerusalem for Passover, the immense gathering attracts the attention and alarm of the Temple clergy. No doubt they have heard some of the stories of this miracle worker asking: What miracle will you work for us? What sign will you give to prove your power and authority to us? What sign will you give to convince us that we should believe in you? How often our own world society echoes these words and feelings today!

In the back of our minds is the feeling that our belief in Christ is somehow dependent on the way in which he answers our prayers. But Jesus will not be intimidated by confrontation. To those who challenge Him, He gives no satisfaction; for those who choose to follow, He promises: You will never grow hungry; you will have food for eternal life.

There is only a one step difference between confronting God face to face as an apparent equal or being a disciple and standing beside Him. A step to one side, a step out of the way and allowing God to take the lead. For many it is the most difficult step in the world to take. It involves risk, a step into a new way of living, a walk in the unknown.

As we look at the other readings today, we can find some mentoring: St. Paul addresses it directly: Put away the old self, the former way of thinking and living… Be renewed in the spirit, in the way you live, and in your minds in the way you think. This is the grace of holiness at work in you.

From the reading in Exodus we see an example of this change in attitude. Though they had just been delivered from slavery and miraculously escorted through the waters of the Sea, they still could not imagine doing the unexpected or the unnatural without food. Hungry, they began to grumble as their stomachs rumbled. I'm sure we can all identify with that feeling.

Instead of deciding to walk with God in faith; they thought it more opportune to turn back and walk away from Him. We were better off in our slavery; at least we had something to eat. When the miraculous manna appears, they are unable to recognize a gift from God.

Returning to the gospel Jesus is about to provide another miraculous food, a daily bread, the food for eternal life, that has also become unrecognizable by many who once followed. In the Eucharist we are fed on the word and life and the bread of life.

As we feed and consume this nourishment, it has the power to transform our way of thinking, acting, living. The world today seems desperate to find a sign it can believe in. We have become a society of skepticism and emptiness, even cynicism.

The Eucharist is the sign that Jesus offers. There is one bread, one Body, one human family that hungers and thirsts together, but we don't walk together. As we continue to read from this gospel over the next few weeks, we will see Jesus challenge, not only to the crowds who defect, but to his disciples and even Apostles as well.