GOSPEL READING:
John 6:60-6960 Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. 65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." 66 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. 67 Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
Meditation: Why do some find it easier while others find
it harder to accept the claims which Jesus made? Many were
attracted to Jesus because he offered them something irresistible
- a visible sign of God's mercy and favor which Jesus demonstrated
in his wonderful works of healing, deliverance, and miraculous
signs, including the multiplication of the loaves and fish when he
feed the five thousand who had gathered to hear him speak. Many
stumbled, however, when Jesus made claims which only God can make.
Jesus' discourse on "eating his flesh and drinking his blood"
(see John 6:51-59) which pointed to the Last Supper, caused
offence to many of his followers.
The blessing of full union with God through Christ
Jesus claimed to be the bread of heaven, the very life of God
given to us as spiritual food to sustain us on our journey to our
promised homeland with the Father in heaven. Jesus did not leave
any middle ground for his hearers. They must either accept his
word as divine or reject it as the claim of an imposter. Even the
apostles admitted that this was a "hard saying". This expression
meant that it was not just hard to understand, but hard to accept.
Jesus pressed the issue with his beloved disciples because he
wanted to test their faith and loyalty to him as the Holy One sent
from the Father in heaven. Jesus promised his disciples nothing
less than the full blessing of eternal life and union with God.
Jesus assures his disciples that it is his heavenly Father who
gives the invitation and the grace to believe and follow even in
the "hard sayings". Jesus knew that some would not only reject him
and his word, but would do so with violence fueled by hatred,
envy, and even betrayal by one of his own disciples.
"My words are spirit and life"
Jesus told his disciples that his words were "spirit and life"
(John 6:63) - his words came from the heavenly Father who is the
Author of life and the One who breathes his Spirit into those who
believe in him. Through the gift of faith Peter was able to
receive spiritual revelation of who Jesus truly is - the Holy One
of God, the eternal Son sent from the Father in heaven to redeem a
fallen human race and reconcile them with God.
Faith is a gift and a personal response to God's revelation
of himself
How does God help us grow in faith and trust in his word, even the
hard sayings which are difficult to understand? Faith is a gift
which God freely gives to those who listen to his word and who put
their trust in him. Faith is a personal response to God's
revelation of himself. Faith is neither blind nor ignorant. It is
based on the truth and reliability of God's word. True faith seeks
understanding. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said, "I
believe in order to understand, and I understand the better to
believe." The Lord Jesus offers all of his followers his
life-giving word and Spirit to help us grow in our knowledge and
understanding of God.
We can know God personally through his word
Paul the Apostle tells us that it is the work of the Holy Spirit
who enlightens the eyes of our heart and mind to
understand the truth and wisdom which comes from God (Ephesians
1:17-18). Faith is the key to understanding and experiencing God's
action and work in our personal lives. Paul the Apostle tells us
that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy
Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). We can know God
personally, and we grow in recognizing his voice as we listen to
his word and obey his instruction. Do you believe, as Peter did,
that Jesus has the words of everlasting life and the power
to change and transform your life? Ask the Lord Jesus to increase
your faith that you may grow in knowing, loving, and serving him
as your Lord and Redeemer, Teacher and Healer, Master and Savior.
Lord Jesus, you have the words of everlasting life. Help me to cast aside all doubt and fear so that I may freely embrace your word with complete trust and joy. I surrender all to you. Be the Lord of my life and the Ruler of my heart. May there be nothing which hinders me from trusting in your love and following your will.
Psalm 116:12-17
12 What shall I render to the LORD for all his bounty to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,
14 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your handmaid. You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Eat Life - Drink Life, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"'Unless you eat My Flesh and drink My Blood, you shall not have
life in you,' says the Lord. Eat life - drink life. You will then
have life, and life is complete. Then the Body and Blood of Christ
will be life for each person under this condition: what is eaten
visibly in the Sacrament be spiritually eaten and spiritually
drunk in truth itself." (excerpt from Sermon
102,2)
