Saturday Reflection

Daily Gospel Reflection May 2^nd 2020

Gospel                                                   JN 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said,
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, “Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe.”
Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe
and the one who would betray him.
And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me
unless it is granted him by my Father.”

As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer walked with him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

Dear Friends and Family,

            We have two very different responses to Jesus teaching today.  The Gospel readings this week make it clear that Jesus wants us to eat his flesh and drink his blood.  Jesus clarifies in the verses before this one that his “flesh is true food and his blood is true drink.”  Our God knows what we need to realize our salvation and he generously gives it to us.  But we have to accept the gift.  What Jesus offers and how he offers it is too much for the disciples to grasp and so they leave, but the twelve remain.  What is the difference?  It’s clear from Peter’s response that he doesn’t understand anymore that those that are leaving understand what Jesus is saying.  The difference is that Peter understands who Jesus is.  Peter put his faith in Jesus who is the Holy One of God.

            We may find our lives turned upside down.  We may be uncertain of the times to come.  We may be lonely and afraid.  Jesus steps into our uncertainty and asks us the very same question, “Do you want to leave?”  If we know Jesus and have a relationship with him our response should be easy. “You have the words of eternal life.”  It is a statement of trust, faith and belief that no matter what is going on in our lives or the world around us, our God, Jesus Christ will lead us through it.  God also works through the people in our lives, who walk with us in this journey. It is my hope you have one or two people like this in your life.  Someone that you know will be with you through thick and thin.  If we can experience this kind of steadfast love in others, is it much of a step to have that kind of relationship with God.  If we have never known this kind of love, please look to the scriptures to discover the depths of God’s infinite love and mercy.  We may also feel moved to reach out to the vulnerable and lonely, so that no one feels isolated or alone. To simply call a family member who lives alone, a neighbor or friend or someone in the church directory, who may need to hear a friendly voice.  Let us pray that renewed by the promise of Jesus words of Spirit and life we can walk faithfully and courageously in a world of uncertainty.