Before you complain about food, taste it first

It would be interesting to learn the science behind human nature’s inclination toward grievance. As a motif throughout Scripture, a sense of feeling wronged is always present, and God appears to be just around the corner from every single instance of complaint. Today’s readings provide at least two distinct moments of complaint, and God is present on both occasions.

Elijah is ready to call an end to his perceived failed prophetic mission as he prays for a quick death. “Enough, Lord! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kgs 19:4). Elijah was chased out by the ruler Ahab after the prophet killed off 450 prophets of Baal. He also seems to be chased by his own conscience as he laments, “I am no better than my fathers.” Elijah prays to God with a sentiment that is relatable for most people: “I’m done, it’s not working.” 

Last Sunday, the Hebrew people walking through the desert were also in a state of grievance due to famine. God responded with nourishment, “bread from heaven,” while this Sunday Elijah receives a response to his desperate prayer: “Get up and eat” (1 Kgs 19:5). Listening, the prophet continues his mission after a brief digression. 

This Sunday’s Gospel continues the lengthy bread of life discourse from John. The passage, however, begins and continues to center around the confusion of a particular interpretation. In other words, the grievance from the crowd is not aimed at God, nor toward Jesus necessarily. Rather, the text exposes a complaint about Jesus’ interpretation of the sacred text. “The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven’” (Jn 6:41). Jesus reminds them to stop murmuring and let the spirit of God work. 

Even the Holy Spirit is described,  in today’s second reading, as having the capacity to lament: “Do not grieve the holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30). Paul insists that the community not hold fast to a pernicious spirit that does not allow for a holy discernment to take place: “All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice” (Eph 4:31). Meanwhile, today’s psalm encourages one to test the spirit and perceive what God is doing in the world. Rather than just seeing the work of God in the world, the psalmist reminds the faithful to savor it as well: “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:9). 

To taste something, in the Hebrew sense, means to discern if the food is good or bad. To taste means to experience, to learn, to perceive and even to savor something. One way to reflect on Jesus’ interpretation of “bread of life,” which points to himself as the source of life, is to discern that truth by personal experience. We are encouraged to “taste and see” the goodness of Christ this week.