From today’s gospel: “Jesus answered them and said, … ‘Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you’… 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.'"

“When Jesus Christ is in you, is he there as a living bread?" (De La Salle, Med. 48.1)

Backward design. “Design with the end in mind." Today’s gospel is a perfect example of this educational philosophy. Jesus lays it out very clearly. The goal is eternal life in Christ; we do not settle for less, for it will simply perish. Yes, there are interim steps. College preparation and success are certainly necessary, for what student will be able to focus on God without the ability to break the cycle of poverty? But if we believe that high grades and college readiness scores are the extent of what we are to accomplish, we need to remember that discipleship brings the bread that truly satisfies, the wine that is never exhausted. As we think about goals and standards at the beginning of the school year, may we be consistent about asking De La Salle’s question: Is Christ living in us, animating and nourishing us? Are we sharing this food with our students as well?

Live, Jesus, in our hearts!