We are a results-oriented society. Concrete evidence, exceptional performance, guaranteed success! These are the things we look for before we “buy in” to anything. Jesus addresses this when he tells the crowds that they are looking for him because they ate the loaves and were filled: satisfying, concrete evidence. Jesus challenges them to seek more than what can be seen with our human eyes and more than what can merely fill the stomach. Not fully understanding the Lord, they respond, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” In other words, they’re saying “How do we earn that? Success is what we’re after here. What do we need to do to get it?” Jesus’ answer again might be surprising to them. God’s work is not accomplished or earned by us, God’s work is that we have faith in Jesus.
Two questions stand out for us. Firstly, what is our “why?” In other words, why do we look for Christ? Is it for our own comfort and benefit, or is it to have our eyes opened to something larger than our own needs? Secondly, do we believe that what matters most is to be faithful to Christ or are we bound by expectations of performance and success?
In our first reading from Acts of the Apostles, Stephen knows his why and he knows that fidelity to Christ and his teaching may not bring him earthly success. His life is in imminent danger, in fact. But this doesn’t stop him from preaching the truth.
Let us pray for his intercession to live our lives with intentionality and fidelity to Christ.