The reply given to Jesus by the disciples in today’s Gospel is one that we, too, may give to him.
So much of the world is ordered against the Gospel, against faith and religion. And this prompts the question from our Good Lord. What of us? Are we going to turn away, just as those other followers did?
The ways that we live our life show our answer. Are we fastidious about following the Gospel message and living close to the life of Jesus? Do we do all we can to love him through our care and love of others? Do we concentrate our love on those who need that love, rather than simply loving those who already love us? Do we go to the ends of the earth to be a mirror of the Gospel?
If we flicker on any of these questions, then maybe we have room to follow him more eagerly. Let us, with God’s grace, be better examples of Jesus to the world.
Gospel John 6:60-69
After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?
‘It is the spirit that gives life,
the flesh has nothing to offer.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit
and they are life.
‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.’ After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.
Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’