SUNDAY GOSPEL – John 6:60-69.
When many of Jesus’ disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
As we all know, the faith is in crisis in our times. By faith, I mean not just the “church” but the Christian project as such. People have indeed walked away, a process accelerated by the pandemic of just a few years ago. Cultural Catholicism remains in place — fragile and in many ways an empty shell. Much of this is understandable, given the recent and not so recent history, at least in Ireland. For us, however, as “remainers”, the Gospel today is very direct: will you also go away? A second question is implied: and if not, why not?
Our personal response very likely takes some form of “we have come to believe and we know.” We should not be afraid to name the experiences which ground our convictions and so make sense of our continued faithfulness.
POINTERS FOR PRAYER
- In this chapter Jesus teaches that the meaning of his life, and the meaning of all human life, lies in being prepared to give of oneself. When have you learned that life was more worthwhile when you were prepared to do that?
- “This teaching is difficult”, complained his hearers, including some of his own followers. Perhaps at times you also have wondered if you could go along with it. What helped you to overcome your resistance?
- “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life.” In the midst of your doubts perhaps you have held on to belief because, like Peter, Jesus offered you a more hopeful message than you could find anywhere else. How has the gospel message been more attractive to you than any other?
May we never lose heart and continue on the great pilgrimage of the Gospel.