For the four Sundays we have been traveling on a journey with the Gospel of John; John chapter six, which is all about Jesus the bread of life. And we're about to leave John next week and return to Saint Mark. We have journeyed through the long encounter between Jesus and his listeners, which started with the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand and the series of teachings that resulted from that encounter. This Sunday’s episode is the last part of the Gospel series of the past Sundays, which deals on the Bread of Life Discourse of Jesus and eternal life. Jesus ends His discourse on the Bread of Life with a lot of varied reactions. Many listeners of Jesus, including many of his own disciples, could not take the message anymore: “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” (v. 60). Some were left confused. Others rejected the call to convert and went home. His disciples are challenged and expressed their desire to understand and believe. Peter said, “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 in today’s Gospel brings us to the place of options and decisions. What is your decision? “Do you also what to leave?” Jesus asked his disciples in the gospel. 0ne amazing thing about Jesus in dealing with us is that He gives us options, not orders, and has faith in us that we will make the right choices when the time comes.  He invites us to reconsider our choice as disciples to remain with Him and His Church or to leave Him. Decide! choose! In life there should always be moments for sober decisions and choice making. These moments are greatly encouraged for us to observe from time to time, so as to reflect over our lives and make a renewal or take a decision towards God and ourselves. In your time of trials and confusion about life, when you have a crisis in your marriage or family, in your joblessness, or because of the death of your beloved one or only hope, in your financial difficulty, in your sickness, and all other challenges of life; will you also go away? Of course, Jesus wants us to stay with Him and also believe in Him.

One common experience millions of us are sharing during the current corona virus pandemic is movement restrictions or “lockdowns”. We have been in lockdowns for almost two years in different corners of the world. Many of us are “SI” - Stranded individuals, who are cut off from our loved ones and are trying to get back to our normal ways of life. In our combined efforts to stay safe and save lives, our usual ways of seeing family, friends or just familiar faces have been put on pause. For sure, this is a challenging and sometimes lonely time. No one is exempted from the feelings and experiences of these times. We miss the hugs, the parties, and celebrations. Many of us must have felt emptiness and the loss of a sense of purpose. Or might even asked, “To whom shall we [I] go”? Because our actions are limited, our recreations are suspended; and we cannot even gather together to worship. We are confined within the corners of our homes and resented being “captive” in our own homes.

However, the Corona virus pandemic somehow speaks to us about different choices just as Jesus in the Gospel, despite putting our life at stake or at the crossroad. Some people have turned these moments of being locked down into opportunities, and choose to express their talents, decide to learn, and create something meaningful. In fact, we have seen people express their talents, learn new skills, and create new things. The majority of us try calling a priest, friend, family member, health professional, or counselor to talk about our experiences and feelings. Others join online groups or classes that focus on something they enjoy. Some even consider going for short walks in public places or ride bicycles (while keeping a one or two meters distance). In a way, people somehow respond to our common situation with different choices and decisions. While for some, it still meant seeing themselves limited, confined, and empty. Others, the lockdown has become an opportunity for meaningful choices and decisions, like self-discovery and having to know and experience God more. Life is full of daily choices. Decide!  Choose! Have a Blessed Sunday in the Lord!