Gospel (Jn 6,24-35) - At that time, when the crowd saw that Jesus was no longer there and neither were his disciples, they got into boats and headed towards Capernaum in search of Jesus. They found him on the other side of the sea and said to him: «Rabbi, when are you came here?”. Jesus answered them: «Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate the loaves and were satisfied. Busy yourselves, not for the food that does not last, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. Because the Father, God, has set his seal on him." They then said to him: "What must we do to do the works of God?". Jesus answered them: "This is the work of God: that you believe in him whom he has sent." Then they said to him: «What sign do you perform so that we see and believe you? What work do you do? Our fathers ate manna in the desert, as it is written: "He gave them bread from heaven to eat." Jesus answered them: «Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. Indeed, the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Then they said to him, "Lord, always give us this bread." Jesus answered them: «I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty!".

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

The page of the Gospel that we read begins with the crowd going in search of Jesus. And this time even crossing the sea, just to reach him. Jesus understands and understands this search, this desire to bring him closer. And Jesus, obedient to the Father who wants the salvation of every man, continues to speak to that crowd so that they understand what he has done. And he urges them to seek true nourishment for their life: "Do not work for the food that does not last, but for the food that remains for eternal life." Of course, there is a need for food and clothing, as well as one's well-being. But there is something beyond which they must nourish themselves. And the beyond is Jesus himself and his Gospel. The crowd finds it difficult to understand, they are so focused on the bread from the day before. To have it she is willing to do something more: "What must we do to do the works of God?". But Jesus does not ask for something more. He asks only for their hearts. The only work is to believe in him. He will say it later: "This is the work of God: that you believe in him whom he has sent." The only work that lasts forever is faith in him. Not the acceptance of a doctrine nor the practice of ritual norms. Faith is a real "job" that requires, like any job, a choice, decision, commitment, reflection, passion, continuity, application, effort and abandonment to the Lord. This is bread that lasts. And it comes from heaven. Jesus clarifies it clearly: «I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will not be hungry." Those listeners understood Jesus' reference to the manna in the desert and also the very meaning of that bread multiplied by the five thousand. The bread is Jesus himself that the Father has made available to everyone: we can all receive it free of charge and everyone can also multiply it for others in turn.