29 Apr 2023
Expectations
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For 29 April 2023, The Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor, based on John 6:60-69
Many of Jesus’ disciples 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.
29 April 2023 @ 10:34 pm
What an explosive topic! Different times—different means of rejecting the Bread of life! Let us recognize who we truly are. Thanks, Marianne
29 April 2023 @ 11:35 pm
Marianne, your words trigger so many thoughts about expectations, values, and the importance of living a life based on hope rather than fear. Thanks, and Happy Feast of St. Catherine!
30 April 2023 @ 12:50 am
A challenging preaching, Marianne. You have a gift for relating the Scripture to our current personal and public lives. Thank you for sharing it with us.
30 April 2023 @ 1:46 am
The other commentators have been more diplomatic than I. I am not a “gun worshiper.” But I don’t expect American politics when I come to TheWord. Plenty of that, everywhere else in my life.
30 April 2023 @ 2:02 am
Marianne,
Thanks for this powerful and important message. You always hit the nail on the head.
30 April 2023 @ 3:10 am
Marianne, what a profound breaking open of the word for these challenging times and a reminder of the slippery slope from our “right” to own guns, to use guns, any guns and then slipping into the“right” to kill! Thank you for this call to action!
30 April 2023 @ 3:59 am
Marianne – thanks for your profound reminder that the Word of God is truly “…ever ancient, ever new!”
30 April 2023 @ 5:47 am
Thank you for preaching the Gospel of peace, justice and life.