Student Daily Reflection

[273] Acts 6:8-15
Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30
John 6:22-29

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer
The Daily Reflections

“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.”-John 6:22-29

In the gospel of John today, Jesus gives us some very fundamental, but easy to forget advice. He advises us to set our mind on things that are part of the eternal life rather than worldly desires.

At the end of my day, I take some time to write in this one line a day journal. This journal allows me to take a few moments, similar to what many of the Jesuits encourage us to do with the Examen, to reflect on those moments of my day that brought me joy or discouragement. I have found that this simple exercise causes me to recognize and remember the big picture rather than focusing on the mundane and frustrating details that can consume me in the moments of my day. Furthermore, I often remember some of the little things that seem to have been God moments for me. For example, a simple message from a friend might have been forgotten, but is remembered as I sit back and reflect. Thus, I am more open and willing to see how God spoke to me through my friend that day.

I am continually striving to follow the work of God and to keep my eyes on the “prize” or so I would call it. However, it is easy to get caught up in worldly desires as they provide instant gratification and on surface level seem to be more “real.” I truly believe that if I take the time to notice the small things that God does for me, I am astounded by the reality of his presence. He leaves us with so many revelations of the beauty of his love and kingdom each day. I am repeatedly challenged to look for these moments every day and to put the feelings into my one line of the day.