Reflection for Aug. 25, 2024

Embracing the words of eternal life

by Sister Sally Ann Brickner

 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God!” -- Jn 6: 68-69

For a number of weeks our Gospel readings from John 6 provide the essence of Jesus’ teaching. He has come from God to give Himself totally to humankind, not only His holy words but His very self, His body and blood. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood, remains in me and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.” (Jn 6: 57-58).

How do the crowds respond, including the majority of Jesus’ followers? They walk away and no longer follow Him! How deeply distressed Jesus must have been! We hear His heartache in His question to the Twelve, His closest companions: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” (Jn 6: 67) Though Simon Peter may not have fully comprehended Jesus’ teachings, he knew Jesus was believable, that His teachings were true. Speaking for himself and the other apostles Simon Peter boldly proclaims: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God!” (Jn 5: 68-69) They refuse to desert Jesus because of His “hard sayings” (though we know how they later deny and abandon Him in His hour of greatest need).

In the first reading, before he dies Joshua challenges Israel to covenant with God, to be faithful to God alone. And they say “Yes.” Similarly, Jesus challenges His apostles (and us) to remain with Him, to follow Him to the end of our lives. Do we respond confidently in life’s toughest situations: “I choose to follow you, Christ. Be my living bread for my journey home to You”?

Following Christ means taking up the cross as He did. It means that:

• I choose to do the most loving thing when enduring a mid-life crisis.
• I choose to be the most loving person in the midst of a breakup.
• I choose to accept myself and grow when I fail to reach my goals.
• I choose to provide comfort and consolation when a loved one experiences pain or dies.
• I choose to age gracefully and treasure my humanness.

At all times, in all circumstances: “I will choose Christ, I will choose love, I choose to serve.” (I Will Choose Christ, by Tom Booth; YouTube video)