LORD, YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE
First Reading: Joshua 24: 1-2 and 15-18
Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 21-32
Gospel Reading: John 6: 60-69
*First reading is from the book of Joshua. Before his death, Prophet Joshua asks the people of Israel to decide whether to serve the Lord their God or serve other gods. The chosen people affirm their deep faith in the Lord God who liberated them from the slavery of Egypt and who in the past did many great signs and wonders in their midst. They commit their lives in the service of the Lord God.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul speaks about the need of mutual love and respect between husband and wife. He compares this relationship to the love of Christ for the Church. As members of His body, we are constantly being nourished by Christ. In the same way, husband and wife should nourish each other in love.
Will you also go away? Today's Gospel reading is from St. John, Chapter 6. After the miracle of multiplication of loaves, Jesus gives an elaborate instruction about the living bread (Eucharist). Jesus firmly tells them that unless they eat His body and drink His blood, they will not have life. They take this teaching literally and many of them could not accept such a teaching. As a result, many who followed Jesus till that day gradually leave Him and no longer follow Him. Seeing this negative reaction of some of His followers, Jesus puts a very challenging question to the twelve Apostles: "Will you also go away?" Peter's response is immediate. He gives a most reassuring and very important answer which re-affirms the need to stick to Jesus and His teachings. He responds by saying: "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Peter and other Apostles come out of this challenging situation and commit their lives to the Lord. In our moments of doubts and confusion, let us be assured that it is not the Lord who leaves us but often we who leave Him. Right from the days of Jesus, till today, the teaching of Jesus on Eucharist continues to be a dividing force among the believers. Even today, many of the followers of Christ are unable to accept it and those who accept it are often unworthy to receive it. This is expressed by St. Paul in his first letter to Corinthians: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? We who are many are one body for we all partake of the one bread." (1Corinthians 10: 16-17) Prophet Joshua in the Old Testament and the Apostles in the New Testament make a commitment to follow the Lord. They are ready to make sacrifices to carry out their promises. If our commitment is to the Lord, and it has any meaning, we must respond to a crisis with determination, creativity and generosity as Peter and other Apostles did in a crisis situation. Now it is our turn to tell the Lord: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." May the Lord Jesus, who alone can give eternal life, give you the grace to stay with Him always. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. " YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph" on Google search. Thanks.)
No comments:
Post a Comment