24 Apr 2021
Here We Stand
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For 24 April 2021, Saturday of the third week of Eastertide, based on John 6:60-69
Photo by Raghav Yadav on Unsplash
When many of Jesus’ disciples heard him, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’
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.’
Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
24 April 2021 @ 11:16 am
Thank you Scott. As a child I can remember one of my teacher’s, a Sister, trying to explain the Eucharist to me and I was not impressed! I said, “I don’t understand but if as a Catholic I have to believe then I can without understanding,†that lack of understanding has stayed with me all my life. Your reflection this morning gave me much comfort. Thanks.
Ann, O.P.
24 April 2021 @ 11:26 pm
Thank you Ann. I think we all have times when this happens, if we look closely enough. Our usual response is either to forget it and move on, or obsess over it. Peter gives us a better, third option.
25 April 2021 @ 12:07 am
“Trust and obey first, understand later†Thanks for using Peter to bring life to a phrase that has been with me after first hearing it decades ago.