GOSPEL
Who shall we go to? You are the Holy One of God
From the Gospel according to John
Jn 6:60-69
After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?
‘It is the spirit that gives life,
the flesh has nothing to offer.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit
and they are life.
‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.’ After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.
Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’
‘It is the spirit that gives life,
the flesh has nothing to offer.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit
and they are life.
‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.’ After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.
Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’
The Gospel of the Lord
The Moment of Truth.
When the moment of truth arrives, our faith demands tough decisions, because the Lord asks everything from us in order to give Himself completely.
We might experience moments when our faith falters, when the moment of truth comes and we are asked to dedicate all our free time, or a fixed portion of “our” money, or to attend daily Eucharist, or spend an hour in prayer each day… Or to live our sexuality with the dignity it deserves… Then, we might start to think that this is madness.
But Lord, if we do not give up our possessions and our criteria to follow you, where else shall we go?
We might experience moments when our faith falters, when the moment of truth comes and we are asked to dedicate all our free time, or a fixed portion of “our” money, or to attend daily Eucharist, or spend an hour in prayer each day… Or to live our sexuality with the dignity it deserves… Then, we might start to think that this is madness.
But Lord, if we do not give up our possessions and our criteria to follow you, where else shall we go?
Applied to Married Life:
Martha: Forgive me, John, I was deeply hurt by your disregard for me, to the extent that I deemed you unworthy of me. I needed time away from you.
John: I’m sorry, Martha. It seems you misread my actions and take offence at things I do not intentionally do or say to demean you, and I can’t fathom why you’re offended. It gets to the point where it feels like anything I do or say could be turned against me.
Martha: What’s lacking is sensitivity, and you enter my heart like a bull in a china shop. But never mind. I’m prepared to stop being self-centred and to love you as you are, as the Lord asks of me.
John: Thank you. I had already concluded that your desire to distance me was the Lord’s way of refining my self-love, and I had already accepted this. Regardless, I intend to continue loving you as God wishes.
John: I’m sorry, Martha. It seems you misread my actions and take offence at things I do not intentionally do or say to demean you, and I can’t fathom why you’re offended. It gets to the point where it feels like anything I do or say could be turned against me.
Martha: What’s lacking is sensitivity, and you enter my heart like a bull in a china shop. But never mind. I’m prepared to stop being self-centred and to love you as you are, as the Lord asks of me.
John: Thank you. I had already concluded that your desire to distance me was the Lord’s way of refining my self-love, and I had already accepted this. Regardless, I intend to continue loving you as God wishes.
Mother,
May we be willing to give everything for the love of God. To deny myself, take up my cross daily and follow Him. Praised be my Lord.