The Words of Eternal Life

Today's Reflections 

 

      

The Words of Eternal Life

Jn 6:60-69

⁶⁰Many of [Jesus’] 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.”

The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. Jesus ends the discourse on the bread of life while he also focuses on the vocation and mission of the Twelve. He has chosen them, and they have left their families behind to follow him.

Unable to accept the idea of Jesus giving his flesh for the life of the world, the crowd and many disciples leave Jesus, returning to their former way of life and no longer walking in his company. Jesus faces the Twelve and lovingly solicits their personal decision: “Do you also want to leave?”

Simon Peter rises to the occasion with an answer that speaks for all of us: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Peter comes to true faith in this confession. And like Peter, we will slowly realize and accept that nothing can ever replace faith in the heart of the believer and true disciple of Jesus.

“When you are not certain

what a person is thinking,

watch what he is doing”

(atrributed to Joseph Cardinal Bernardin).