21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)
Sunday 25 August 2024
Jn 6:60-69
“Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God””
(Jn 6:66-69)
In the synagogue of Capernaum, Jesus pronounces some of His most important and (at the same time) most ‘unsettling’ discourses, such as the one regarding the Manna and bread of life, which is Himself. He finally concludes this by saying that whoever does not eat His flesh does not have life. According to His listeners, His words are “hard”, to the point that the Master’s discourse causes a fracture: a before and after us created.
After all, Jesus does not preach to say what people want, but reveals the truth, because He Himself is the Truth. And the truth, sometimes, is uncomfortable.
Faith is a friendship where we follow the Master, who is always on the move. On this walk, a moment comes for each of us when the language of Jesus seems harsh and we don’t understand how He has permitted certain events in our life. Let’s learn from Peter how to measure ourselves with the words of this Man who said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”: with Peter’s pragmatism, let’s analyze the reality around us and come to the conclusion that, “Lord, you aline have the words of eternal life!”.
The Gospel is a challenge! In moments of confusion and feeling lost, don’t abandon the Master. It is worth the effort to place our trust in Him and follow Him, despite everything.
Fr. Giuseppe
