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John 6:60-71
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.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you twelve? Yet is not one of you a devil?” He was referring to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot; it was he who would betray him, one of the Twelve.
Grace Prayed For
The grace of trust: To surrender our doubts and fears to the Lord, trusting in His promises and His plan for our lives.
The Hard Sayings of Faith
In John chapter 6, we witness a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry. His teachings on the Eucharist, profound and challenging, are met with resistance and misunderstanding. Many of his disciples, unable to grasp the spiritual depth of his words, turn away.
This passage invites us to reflect on our own response to the “hard sayings” of faith. Are we willing to embrace the mysteries of God, even when they challenge our understanding? Do we have the courage to trust in Jesus, even when his teachings seem difficult to accept?
Jesus’ words, while challenging, are not meant to discourage or alienate us. Rather, they are an invitation to deeper faith, to a relationship with him that transcends human logic and embraces divine revelation.
The departure of many disciples reveals a fundamental truth: faith requires surrender and trust. It calls us to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the unknown. It demands a willingness to let go of our preconceived notions and allow God to lead us into deeper waters.
In contrast, Peter’s response shines as a beacon of hope. Faced with the same challenge, he clings to Jesus, recognizing that only in Him can we find the words of eternal life. Peter’s unwavering faith, even in the face of uncertainty, is a model for us all.
This passage reminds us that faith is not always easy. There will be times when we struggle to understand God’s ways, when His teachings challenge our assumptions and expectations. But even in these moments of doubt and confusion, we are called to remain steadfast, trusting in the One who holds the words of eternal life.
Let us pray for the grace to embrace the hard sayings of faith, to trust in Jesus even when we don’t fully understand, and to follow Him wherever He leads. In doing so, we will discover the true meaning of life and the fullness of joy that only He can offer.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Embracing the Challenge of Faith: The disciples’ struggle with Jesus’ words reminds us that faith is not always easy. It requires a willingness to grapple with challenging teachings and embrace the mysteries of God. As we wrestle with difficult passages, we are invited to seek deeper understanding, which can lead to a more profound connection with Jesus.
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