“You have the words of eternal life”

Listening to the Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth.

Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listening to the Word

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.”

Reflection

Over the last few weeks, we have read and reflected upon the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, a lengthy discourse on Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse, and the Catholic Church’s teaching of Jesus’ Real Presence. Today, the Gospel led us to the culmination of Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist.

In our Gospel today, John mentions that many of Jesus’ disciples left Him, returned to their former lives, and no longer accompanied Him. The Jews were so impressed by Jesus’ words and actions. They were to seek Him and listen to His teachings wherever he went. But then, Jesus started talking about “eating His flesh and drinking His blood” as food for eternal life; he is the bread of life, the bread of life coming down from heaven; they started to leave Him because they could not accept this type of teaching. Is he a cannibal? Witchcraft! So, it is very hard for them to accept such teachings.

Jesus had many sayings that could make His disciples leave Him, such as: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” “Forgive your enemies not only seven times but seventy times seven times,” “Those who want to be the first must serve the rest,” “If you want to inherit eternal life, sell everything, give to the poor and follow,” and so on.

It is easy to accept Christ's teachings as long as they don’t go against us or hit us. But when we are hit, we say, “Now the Church is meddling with our lives!”

That is why Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered Him, “To whom shall we go You have the words of eternal life,” (vv. 67-68).

What St. Peter is referring to when He said is about the word of God in the Bible. That is why I will ask if you have a Bible in your home. If you have, did you read it or just put it in your cabinet and get dusty. St. Jerome states, “Ignorance of the Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Let us be inspired to incorporate the Word of God more in our daily lives, for it is a source of strength and guidance.

The Mass is divided into the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the Liturgy of the Word, the Word of God is proclaimed to us and applied through the priest's homily. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we offer the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to God the Father.

In my reflection, the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ are necessary for our salvation. We need them for our strength and long for eternal life, but sometimes, we take the Word of God for granted.

So, my dear friends, let us reflect on the Word of God more frequently and let it penetrate the deepest part of our hearts. Let us also regularly receive the Body of Christ as our strength in our daily lives for He is the Bread of life. Do you want also to leave?