The Sunday Gospel [August 26, 2012]
John 6:60-69
60Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” 61Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? 62What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But 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. 65And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
66As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. 67Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” 68Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Reflection
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?” ~ v. 60
What was “this saying” that the people could not accept? It was Jesus’ words that we needed to eat his flesh and drink his blood. You can understand how, if taken literally, such a statement would turn people away. But Jesus wasn’t speaking about ritual cannibalism. He wasn’t inviting people to take a bite out of his arm. No he was talking sacramentally. He was pointing to the time when they would experience his presence deeply as they gathered to celebrate his death and resurrection. He was pointing to the way he would be present in the bread that they broke and the wine they shared.
Why was this so hard to hear? In part, because the people took him too literally. But it was also hard because Jesus was telling the people how generous God was. There was no “work” that they had to do (John 6:28-29). They didn’t need to go looking for a new Moses. They just needed to come and receive. God would provide for them, just as he – not Moses – led their ancestors with manna in the desert (John 6:32).
This is probably one of the biggest challenges that we all face – the challenge to let go and simply receive from God. It’s never easy to give up control, but God promises that as we do, he will take over and enable us to do things that we could never do on our own. Our fallen nature wants to dictate the terms of our relationship with God, but the Holy Spirit wants to show us how much more exciting and fulfilling it is when we surrender to him and let him lead us.
If you are finding it hard to let go of something right now, just remember the one who is asking for this surrender: Jesus Christ, the Holy One of God (John 6:69). He won’t lead you astray.
Prayer Response
Lord, you are the Bread of Life. Teach me to be a generous receiver of your grace. Help me, also, to be generous in giving away all that you want me to let go of.”
Reflection Credits: the WORD among us
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