John 6:24-35

Jesus fed thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fish. The people were astonished and wanted to make him king. For them, Jesus would be the problem-solver.

However, Jesus refused. He was and is more than a mere problem-solver. The good news of Jesus Christ is much more than a solution. It is about new people, a new heaven and new earth, the new par excellence. God is preparing things no eyes have seen and no ears have heard for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Life is problem-ridden. Jesus does solve problems. However, happy is the person and blessed are the communities who live out their lives beyond the problem-solving mindset. A good-news-affirming mindset should take precedence over a problem-solving one. This mentality prevents many problems and helps us solve them. In this perspective, though some problems do not get solved, they do not function negatively.

In fact, we are losers because we cannot solve the most important problem: death. However, we are winners in Christ because we start from his victory over death and evil.

Jesus is alive. Let us not live out our lives as if he were dead.

– Laurent Ramambason, Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar

Prayer

May the Spirit of Jesus, O God, renew our minds to have courage, thankfulness and true happiness in our problem-ridden world.

Thank you for the good news of Jesus Christ, the bread of life. Amen.

Prayer Points

Etaretia Porotetani Maohi

Oh Creator God,

Like that little seed that is so insignificant So coveted by large birds

So fragile to arid lands and a bad climate

Allow us to reach the earth where the welcome is fertile soil

Thanks for your presence

 

Like this little grain

I surrender to you Lord

In the hope of being born again

Under the warmth of your light.

Where each root will seize its strength in your vivifying word

Where it will germinate the life you intended for us

Unfurling branches and foliage to your glory alone

For all to welcome your fruits

That are the image of your promise to life

 

May you help every tree damaged by disease

Fear, poverty, violence and mass death

Teach us to take the example of this seed

To rebuild the world we are destroying.

We hope for healing. Amen.