Satisfied

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John

     When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
     they themselves got into boats
     and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 
     And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
     “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 
     Jesus answered them and said,
     “Amen, amen, I say to you,
     you are looking for me not because you saw signs
     but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 
     Do not work for food that perishes
     but for the food that endures for eternal life,
     which the Son of Man will give you. 
     For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” 
     So they said to him,
     “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” 
     Jesus answered and said to them,
     “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” 
     So they said to him,
     “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? 
     What can you do? 
     Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
    He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
     So Jesus said to them,
     “Amen, amen, I say to you,
     it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
     my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 
     For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
     and gives life to the world.”
     So they said to him,
     “Sir, give us this bread always.” 
     Jesus said to them,
     “I am the bread of life;
     whoever comes to me will never hunger,
     and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”


      “I will never be satisfied”

     If you are a broadway fan like I am, or even if you’re not, your mind's ear might have started to hum the tune “Satisfied” from the cultural phenomenon Hamilton written by Lin Manuel Miranda.  Through a mix of traditional broadway sounds and tongue-twisting rap verses, Angelica Schyler recalls the first time she laid eyes on Alexander Hamilton, infatuated over his wit and good looks.  With a sudden turn of events, she quickly surrenders this love story to Elizabeth, her sister, after she discovers Elizabeth’s declared interest in Hamilton.  This show is both the work of genius and really entertaining, and I would highly recommend it.  HOWEVER, this is not meant to be a stage review for Playbill…

     How many times have we been consumed with those things that “fill” us?  What is it that you are searching for?

     For quite a long time I have climbed my own mountains that can be relative to that second question.  In a world that thrives on acceptance, security, accomplishment and immediate satisfaction it is no wonder that we are nurtured to seek our fill in the things of this world.

     This week, as we prepare for this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus begins to reveal what we call the “Bread of Life” discourse, which serves as a precursor to the beautiful gift of the Eucharist.  The crowds, after receiving their “fill” from the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, sought Jesus following their desire for more.  

     HA!  Desire for more…are you starting to get the “Satisfied” reference?

     Jesus challenges the people to seek that which truly satisfies, and that is the food which is sourced from the Father.  

     What is the “food” that you eat from?  What are the things of this world that you depend on for your satisfaction?

     As we begin this cycle of readings on our reflection of Jesus as the Bread of Life, let us remember that the true source of all that is good, beautiful, and true is God the Father.  Even Jesus, in this upcoming Sunday’s Gospel, corrects the crowds by giving notice that, “it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.” (Jn 6:32) In this manner, I challenge you to first seek a relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.  That relationship is built upon the very thing the people in the Gospel are seeking.  

     Reflect on the questions I posed throughout the text and ask yourself how does a relationship with God the Father fit within those desires?  Begin a deeper relationship with the Eucharist to discover what true satisfaction is by unveiling who it is God created you for.


About the Author: Tyler Trahan is a native of Southwest Louisiana within the bounds of rice fields and crawfish ponds.  He has been involved in youth ministry since high school holding leadership positions within the Diocese of Lake Charles.  Baton Rouge became his home in 2008 after graduating high school to attend LSU where Christ the King Catholic Student Center became his home.  Tyler graduated from LSU in 2012 and began to be involved in parish ministry through catechesis and youth ministry, and also volunteered with the Diocese of Baton Rouge Youth & Young Adult Office.  After over 10 years living in Baton Rouge, he now works at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) as Director of The Franciscan Experience, a summer high school youth theology institute.  He is still very involved in the diocese and is also currently pursuing his Masters of Science in Psychology from Divine Mercy University.
What book are you reading right now? Henri Nouwen’s “The Return of the Prodigal Son”
Who is your favorite superhero? Aquaman (I love the water element)
What food would you eat every day for the rest of your life? Chinese food!  
If you could eat dinner with anyone from history, other than Jesus, who would you eat dinner with? Walt Disney

Learn More About Red Stick Catholics


The Well is a weekly reflection series from Red Stick Catholics that was created to allow young adults from the Diocese of Baton Rouge to reveal how God is speaking to them through prayer and Scripture. Each reflection contains the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel, a reflection written by a young adult from the Diocese of Baton Rouge and prompts for how to pray with the Gospel and reflection during the week. If you are interested in writing a reflection, please email Nicole at [email protected].