Sunday Reflections | 21st Sunday in Ordinary Times
By SIDTP SoCom
Published on August 25, 2024
“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.”
In today’s Gospel, many of Jesus’ disciples hear His teachings about eating His flesh and drinking His blood and find them really hard to accept. They start murmuring, and eventually, a lot of them decide to leave and go back to their old ways. Jesus notices this and explains that it’s the spirit that gives life, while the flesh doesn’t really help. He also points out that His words are full of spirit and life and that belief in Him is something given by God.
It’s about how some people had trouble with Jesus’ teachings and decided to walk away. In Catholic faith, this part of the Bible reminds us that sometimes understanding and accepting the teachings of Jesus can be tough. The idea of the Eucharist, where bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, is a big mystery and can be hard to grasp.
Jesus’ response shows that He knows faith can be challenging. It’s not just about understanding things logically but also about accepting spiritual truths that go beyond what we can see or touch. For Catholics, this is about believing in something deeper, even when it’s difficult.
Simon Peter’s reply, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” really sums up the Catholic view. Even when things are confusing or hard, Peter acknowledges that Jesus is the only one who offers true life and meaning. It’s a reminder that, despite the struggles and questions we might have, staying committed to Jesus is essential because He provides the ultimate truth and hope.
So, John 6:60-69 shows us that faith isn’t always easy, but it’s about trusting in Jesus and His promises, even when we don’t fully understand everything. This passage is a call to stick with our faith and seek deeper understanding, knowing that Jesus offers us something truly valuable, even if it’s not always easy to grasp.
