Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 20,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   John 6:22a, 24-29

The following day (after Jesus fed the multitude of over 5000 with five loaves of bread and two fish), when the people saw that Jesus was not there nor were his disciples, they took boats to the shore of Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

Jesus answered them and said “Truly, I say to you, you see me not because you saw the miracles but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for food that perishes but for food that will endure to everlasting life which the Son of Man will give to you for on Him the Father has set His seal.”

Then they said to Him, “What shall we do so that we might work the works of God?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one He has sent.”

MEDITATIO - Meditate on text, allow the LORD to touch us with His Word:

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT: Today’s gospel reading from John recounts Jesus’ first conversation with those present at the miraculous feeding of a multitude after the event. At this time, Jesus seeks to shift the crowd’s attention from their desire for more physical bread to the more essential desire for spiritual nourishment. When the people ask what they need to do to gain the spiritual nourishment, Jesus responds, “believe in the one” the LORD has sent – namely in Him, Jesus, the Christ.

ORATIO – Lifting our minds and hearts to the LORD in prayer:

Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior, we come to You this day seeking your help as your followers. We are challenged by this world to put the material and physical ahead of the spiritual, help us to change this, help us to seek growth in our relationship with You, LORD, sent by the Father, and with our sisters and brothers, those You gave your life to save. Draw us to You more closely through the Eucharist, through prayer, through our relationships with the Father Almighty, with You, and with the Holy Spirit. Be with us LORD, strengthen our resolve and the essential of life, loving relationships. Amen.

CONTEMPLATIO – Sitting with the LORD in silence for a minute or more