Gospel reading: 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.”
REFLECTIONS
You have the words of eternal life
After the presentation come judgment and decision. In the long discourse on the Bread of Life, Jesus reveals that he is the true bread come down from heaven. He speaks of his words to be believed but also of his flesh to be eaten and his blood to be drunk. For most of his disciples, the discourse, especially the last claim, is “hard,” unacceptable.
They are angry, disappointed, or greatly puzzled in the least.
Jesus explains by distinguishing between flesh (natural order) and spirit (supernatural). Only he who accepts the Father’s gift can enter the realm of the spirit and come to Jesus, that is, to believe.
But the explanation fails to satisfy; the crowd and most of his disciples walk away. The Twelve, with Simon Peter as their spokesman, proclaim their faith in Jesus whose words are Spirit and life. They choose to remain with Jesus through thick and thin.
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“Eucharistic communion was given so that we might be ‘sated’ with God here on earth, in expectation of our complete fulfillment in heaven” (St. John Paul II).
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
