XVIII Sunday of the Year

CRAVING SOMETHING MORE…

Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35

Readings for the XVIII Sunday of the Year

The book “Acres of Diamonds” narrates the tale of Ali Hafed. Hafed, a wealthy Persian, owned a large farm with orchards, fields, and gardens. He had a lovely family and was a contented man.

Contented till an old priest told Hafed that if he had a diamond the size of his thumb, he could own a dozen farms. Hafed asked: “Where can I find these diamonds?”

The priest said: “Search for a river that runs over white sands between high mountains. In those sands, you will find diamonds.”

Hafed went to bed discontented. Craving diamonds, he sold his land, and travelled the world… till he became so broken and defeated that he committed suicide. 

Sometime later, the man who purchased Hafed’s farm led his camel to the garden brook. As the camel drank, the man noticed a flash of light from the white sands of the brook. He dived into the brook and pulled out a glistening stone. He had discovered the diamond mines of Golconda.

Had Hafed remained at home and searched his own land, he would have had “acres of diamonds” instead of wretchedness and death in a strange land. 

Whether fact or fiction, Hafed is a symbol of everyone who is discontent with what one has, who constantly seeks “something more”, a search which invariably/ inevitably leads to disappointment and frustration.

Hafed is a symbol of the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land. In Egypt, they longed for freedom. In the desert, they yearned for food and water. When Yahweh provided them manna, quails, and water, they craved novelty. Israel’s story is a story of craving and dissatisfaction.

Hafed is a symbol of the crowds – in today’s Gospel – who “came… looking for Jesus” searching for bread to fill their hunger. Jesus led them gradually to the truth that their search would find fulfilment in him. Like their ancestors, they remained dissatisfied with what he offered them, and sought something more.

Is Ali Hafed a symbol of me? Am I content where I am and with whatever I have? Does my hunger for contentment and meaning find fulfilment in Jesus the Bread of Life or do I search for “diamonds” everywhere when the greatest treasure is with me? 

May I realise and discover the “acres of diamonds” I have all around me.