May 11, 2019 Saturday
Gospel: John 6:60-69
After hearing this, many of Jesus’ followers said, “This language is very hard! Who can accept it?”Jesus was aware that his disciples were murmuring about this, and so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then how will you react when you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, not the flesh. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” From the beginning, Jesus knew who would betray him. So he added, “As I have told you, no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”After this many disciples withdrew and no longer followed him. Jesus asked the Twelve, “Will you also go away?” Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We now believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Reflections

“Will you also go away?”It is not only the Jews who object to his being the bread of life, but also many of his followers. They are scandalized and move away.Jesus goes back to his word. Whatever he says, including his claims, are spirit and life. He expects his listeners to believe in his word so that they may have life. The life that Jesus promises is the life that is in heaven, which he left when he became man and which he will find when he ascends into heaven.The consoling part of the pas- sage is the question, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” Truly this is an affirmation of their belief in the words of Jesus. They cannot dissociate themselves with Jesus when it comes to seeking eternal life.Can Christians also say the same? Some believe in his words as written in the Bible and read in the liturgy, but they do not care about receiving Holy Communion. Practice of faith must be complete, not selective. Here we need the Church to interpret what Jesus means and how we should act upon his words. Not everything is written in the Bible. Sacred traditions must be of help.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019