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The Invitation to Stay: Faithfulness in the Face of Doubt
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
John 6:60-69
Then many of his disciples 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 accompanied 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.”
Grace Prayed For
Pray for the grace of unwavering faith and fidelity—to remain steadfast with Jesus even when His teachings challenge you, and to courageously proclaim His words of eternal life to others..
Reflection
How tender and piercing is the moment when Jesus, with vulnerable love, turns to His closest friends and asks, “Do you also want to leave?” It is a question that echoes through every age, reaching into the depths of our hearts today. Following the risen Jesus—who gave everything, even His flesh and blood—demands a total surrender that can feel daunting, even frightening. Yet, amid confusion or doubt, Peter’s luminous response becomes our own: “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
The power of the Resurrection is not only that Jesus conquered death but that He calls each of us to a radical communion with Him—a relationship so intimate, so life-giving, that no hardship, no “hard saying,” can ultimately drive us away if we keep our eyes on His love. In a world that tempts us to turn back, to return to “former ways,” Jesus remains steady, His gaze never wavering, His arms always open. In the Eucharist, in the Word, in mission, He gives us His Spirit and His life. Will we stay? Will we let His words anchor us and His mission propel us outward to invite others into this astonishing love?.
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
This passage draws us into deeper intimacy by reminding us that true discipleship is born not only from understanding but from trust. Jesus’ question invites us to examine our hearts and renew our yes to Him daily, especially when the road is difficult. Through staying close to Him in prayer, Word, and Sacrament, we come to know the depths of His heart—a heart that longs for us to abide and to be His witnesses in the world.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post