If there is any scene in the Bible I could go back in time to be a part of, it would hands-down be John 6. Jesus has just told the crowds His teaching on the Eucharist, and his followers departed in waves because they couldn’t accept it. All left standing there are his twelve disciples, and I can picture them exchanging looks at one other thinking, “Is this guy for real? He expects us to accept that we are going to eat his body and drink his blood?”
Crowds Leaving
Jesus never backed down, never wavered from His teaching. He watched the crowds leave Him. Jesus didn’t chase them. He didn’t impose himself on them. Jesus let them go and He turned to the twelve to say, “Do you also want to leave?” (John 6: 67) I can imagine a small pause of awkward silence before Simon Peter answers, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68)
Could you dream of being face-to-face with Jesus after this teaching, watching thousands of people leave and having to either accept or reject Him? As the readings tell us, “Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the ones who would betray Him.”
God is never going to force you to choose Him or to believe in Him. We are all granted our own free will to make that decision. A life of faith isn’t always easy, in fact, it often feels like the closer you walk with God, the more the enemy tempts you.
Holy Eucharist
However, we have a weapon no other faith has. We have Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, given to us in the Holy Eucharist. When our world seems in utter chaos, the Eucharist is our anchor and peace that unites us to the One who only desires the best for us. Look to the lives of the Saints who went before us. Instead of cowering under the pressures of a secular world, they stayed ever close to Jesus by sharing in his divine life. Many died for even claiming they believe in Him. If Jesus was just some crazy guy, why would anyone die for Him or His teachings?
They wouldn’t.
I hope and pray we all have courage like Simon Peter, knowing exactly who has the words eternal life. Let us reflect on our own beliefs. Are we willing to drop everything to accept all of Jesus’ and our Church’s teachings? Or, do our lives reflect otherwise? Let us pray today for those who are struggling with any of the Church’s teachings.
[Readings: Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32; Jn 6:60-69]
