To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 6:60-69

 

Many of Jesus’ 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. 

The World of the Lord

 

So I don’t back down.

The love Jesus shows me is demanding, and marriage is about following Jesus, our Bridegroom. For that reason, I need to be ready to risk everything. But if I see our union as just something about ourselves, and not as a promise of eternal life from God in Christ, I might be tempted to give up.

As Saint John Paul II said, Christ reveals the man to the man himself. When we see Christ’s Passion as the model for our marital commitment, it can seem unreachable and, honestly, not very appealing. Today, Jesus asks me, “Does this make you waver?” His sacrifice for the salvation of the world will be wasted on those who reject it, those who reject the gift.

But I trust Him, and I know, I’m sure, that if He’s sending me, it’s because it’s possible.

 

Applied to Married Life:

Paul: We’re both really proud. It feels like we’re never going to be humble enough to build a marriage the way God wants.

Marriage Mentor: So, what makes you different from any other couple living together?

Paul: Well, what changed our lives since our conversation is that through faith, we know it’s possible to live as a reflection of Christ’s love for the Church before we die, since the marriage bond lasts “until death do us part.” So, He’s going to make our union possible in this life, before we reach the next. Our flesh-and-bone ideas won’t work; it’s “the Spirit that gives life.”

Marriage Mentor: That’s right! That’s faith!

 

Lord,

We believe. Lord, You have the words of eternal life—words that, when we contemplate them together in our marriage, we truly live and experience them in our lives. How can we repay the Lord for all the good He’s done for us? We will lift the cup of salvation and call on His name.