The Works of God

Gospel: John 6: 22-29

What are the works of God? This is the question in today's Gospel portion, a question that was prominent in the time of Jesus.  As the Law had so many facets, so there arose many interpretations and answers to this question.  For some, the works of God were found in Temple rituals, while for others the primary focus was on the dietary laws and adherence to the Sabbath.  Still others saw the works of God in the restoration of the kingdom of Israel and the overthrow of the Roman Empire.  

Jesus, however, sees the works of God in extending mercy and love to others as that is the primary action of God in the world.  As we have received mercy and love from God so are we to extend these to others in our life.  Jesus shows us how to do this by his own example of caring for others, in extending peace and inviting others to love as he does to friend and foe alike.  

Temple ritual and observance of other practices are only useful to the extent that they help us be more merciful, loving people.  If they become ends in themselves they have no value at all.  Worse still, they become false idols like that of our kingdoms of Israel or Christendom or anything else.  For the kingdom of God is not in any of these things; it is found only within us and within each other.