Looking for spiritual food when it may be scarce

Jesus is always searching for a sustenance we should have but hold on to it until it may be too late. The disciples followed Jesus to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there and Jesus being tired from his journey, sat down at the well around noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus asked her for a drink of water. His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. We all know the story of how the woman and Jesus get in a dialogue,and her confession regarding her past. The real crux of this came to fruition when the disciples returned and were amazed that he was talking with a woman. When the disciples urged him to eat, he said to them, “I Have food to eat of which you do not know.” He continues, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.” (see JN. 4: 4 ff, 4” 27 ff).

A classic example of how our Lord Is always reaching out to each of us seeking that which is held onto as if this cannot be shared since all the secrecy is like gold and belongs to noone else.

There is a statement where Augustine had an encounter with Jesus who said he wanted something Augustine was proud to have. The saint began to pull out writings he had showing them to the Lord, and Jesus said he didn’t want any of those Dumbfounded Augustine asked what he wanted. “I want your sin, nothing else.”

When the question regarding our confessions arises it appears that usually most people seem to confess the same weakness over and over. Obviously, we all have our same sin and it can become a nuance, yet the similarity of repetition remains the most familiar with each of us.

Avoiding sin is a struggle wherein we fail often. “Proverbs 24:16 tells us ‘for the just man falls seven times and rises again.”

Peter approached Jesus asking if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” (Mt. 18: 21 - 22). There is no limit to how often we sin and seek forgiveness from God. Yes we know when Jesus forgave sinners, such as the woman caught in adultery, he said neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” (Jn 8: 11).

Do we see that God’s forgiveness is greater than all the sin we could commit? Hence the mission of Jesus’ purpose was and is to find sinners, forgive them, and make a place for them in heaven. There was at one time, many years ago, where a Catholic could confess only once. Most then waited until their final hours of life approached and would then seek reconciliation. That was not in keeping with Jusus’ response to Peter saying not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

This then is the food Jesus looks for in the need for sinners to open their vault and let the fare that is festering deep within our souls to be taken out and thrown away.

Ralph B. Hathaway