When is something just too much to bear, too difficult to digest or simply too offensive to consider? Some people today will protest against the government’s new rules and policies. Still remember the long and hard lockdowns we have been through? Our hearts will rebel against, seemingly, helpless situations. We want to know and understand something before we accept it. And that something must be for our own good.
We hear today the conclusion of Jesus’ bread of life discourse. This is the time when Jesus’ disciples and followers had to decide whether to accept or reject not only His words but, ultimately, Jesus Himself. It is the moment of truth. Sadly, they failed to see and understand. They did not know and so, they walked away from Jesus.
The first reading mentions that the tribes of Israel renewed their commitment to God by remembering His mighty deeds. They had other options. But, they promised to serve the Lord and get rid of all idols. They made this promise and they kept it because they always remember God’s goodness to them.
In the second reading, St Paul is reminding all the followers of Jesus to submit themselves to the Lord by obeying His commandments. In the case of husbands and wives, the Lord commands them to love one another. Husbands should love their wives the way Christ loves the church.
There are times when Jesus’ words do not sound encouraging but rather challenging. Jesus always tells us the truth and truth hurts. We always want to profess our faith and love for God but our actions, sometimes, convey what is contrary. Deep inside us, we protest and rebel against Jesus’ words and His commandments each time we struggle to live them out.
In matters of faith, it will always be either to accept or reject Christ’s teachings, and there’s nothing in between. It is either we accept or reject Jesus, Himself. If only, we can remind ourselves, consistently, of God’s goodness and of what Jesus has done for us, we will surely accept Him and will remain faithful to Him.
Let us pray for one another that our faith may grow and deepen.Through faith, Jesus’ teachings make a lot of sense. Faith inspires gratitude to God for what He has done for us. Faith gives us the wisdom to discover the meaning and relevance of God’s commandments. And faith gives us the courage to resonate with Peter, “Master, 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.”
Fr Gilbert Ramos
