Gospel in Art: Do not work for food that cannot last

Campbell's Soup Cans by Andy Warhol, 1962 © Alamy stock photo / Edward Westmacott / Museum of Modern Art, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 4 August 2024
John 6:24-35

When the people saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into boats and crossed to Capernaum to look for Jesus. When they found him on the other side, they said to him, 'Rabbi, when did you come here?'

Jesus answered: 'I tell you most solemnly, you are not looking for me because you have seen the signs but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat. Do not work for food that cannot last, but work for food that endures to eternal life, the kind of food the Son of Man is offering you, for on him the Father, God himself, has set his seal.'

Then they said to him, 'What must we do if we are to do the works that God wants?' Jesus gave them this answer, 'This is working for God: you must believe in the one he has sent.' So they said, 'What sign will you give to show us that we should believe in you? What work will you do? Our fathers had manna to eat in the desert; as scripture says: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' Jesus answered:

'I tell you most solemnly, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven, it is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven, the true bread; for the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.'

'Sir,' they said 'give us that bread always.' Jesus answered: 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.

Reflection on the Contemporary Artwork

Just over 60 years ago, in 1962, Andy Warhol created his iconic series of 32 Campbell's Soup Cans. At the time, this work was considered avant-garde and visionary, pushing the boundaries of modern art in a unique way. Even today, many people debate whether it qualifies as art. Whatever one thinks of it, it remains one of the quintessential works of the 20th century. When asked why he chose to paint Campbell's soup cans, Warhol offered a simple explanation: "I used to have the same lunch every day, for twenty years, I guess, the same thing over and over again." This repetitive daily meal starkly contrasts with the spiritual daily nourishment Jesus speaks of in today's Gospel reading, where he distinguishes between food that perishes and food that endures to eternal life.

Jesus did not dismiss the importance of physical sustenance. He fed the hungry, the poor, and the multitude in the desert, showing deep concern for their basic nutritional needs. However, after addressing their physical hunger, Jesus invites them and so us to seek something deeper. He calls us to satisfy our spiritual hunger, a need that only he can fulfil.

The daily meal Jesus invites us to partake in is the Eucharist, the centre of our faith. It addresses our spiritual hunger, guides us, and transforms us. Through the Eucharist, we are called to see people not just in terms of their physical needs-such as food, health, and alms-but also for who they are. Jesus goes on in the Gospel reading to present himself as the bread of life, as the one who can satisfy those deeper hungers and thirsts in our hearts. It is in coming to him, believing in him, that our hunger for the food that endures to eternal life will be met.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-6-24-35-2024/