Faith, Hope, and Love

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life. - John 5:27

As I read this passage this morning, I thought about all the things I work for. I thought about the time and effort I put into my two jobs, into working out, into my relationships, into my finances, and into my health and appearance. And then I realized, "Wow, I really do work for food that perishes!"

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of perish is: to become destroyed or ruined : cease to exist.

Isn't it true that my money, my job, my body, my friends, and my possessions will cease to exist. Nevertheless, I work and make choices and sacrifices on a daily basis for these things that will be destroyed or ruined with time.

Today, Jesus tells us to work for the food that endures. He tells us that there is food that will endure for eternal life. There is a food that won't be destroyed or ruined. This food won't cease to exist.

So, what is this food?

Is it not, faith, hope and love? As St. Paul tells us, "Faith, hope, love remain" -1 Corinthians 13:13

Three words. Three theological virtues that have God as its origin. (CCC 1812). Three virtues that we must work to keep alive in our hearts.

However, I'm not always aware of these virtues. So, I continue to make sacrifices for that which perishes and I forget about that which remains. These virtues are gifts, but they have to be nurtured. Just like a ring which is held carefully, polished, stored safely and kept safe, I must do the same with faith, hope and love.

When I think of all the choices I make on a daily basis concerning my job, my health and my relationships I realized that I work a lot for things that perish. I constantly make sacrifices for that which doesn't endure. Yet, the moment I have to make a sacrifice for my faith, I come up with 100 excuses not to work for this food.

I could choose to to meditate without rushing, I could chose to listen to more Christians songs, to pray the rosary more often, to pray the the Divine Mercy chaplet more often, to read more spiritual books, to learn more about our Church in order to take care of my faith, but I don't.

At times I forget that there is food that endures. Food that endures for eternal life. Food that will remind me that I am only a pilgrim here on earth. Food that will remind that the Kingdom is already here, but that I am also walking towards eternal life. Is this food not the most important one? Is this food not that one that will endure in my soul?

Jesus, help me work for this food. Jesus, help me make choices that will help keep alive the gifts of faith, hope and love alive in my mind and soul.

Jesus, I love you.