TODAY'S GOSPEL REFLECTION: “Perseverance in Faith”

TODAY'S GOSPEL REFLECTION: “Perseverance in Faith” 

April 29, 2023. Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

Gospel

Jn 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said,

“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”

Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,

he said to them, “Does this shock you?

What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.

The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.

But 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.

And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me

unless it is granted him by my Father.”

As a result of this,

many of his disciples returned to their former way of life

and no longer walked with him.

Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”

Simon Peter answered him, “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.”

Reflection:

Blessed memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena! The story of her life could be read in the link below this reflection. It is painful for God to be turned away and rejected by other disciples because they do not want to accept what He says about the Eucharist. We are also hurt if we tell our loved ones something for their own good but they stay away, get angry, and misunderstand our intentions. 

How much more hurt is God who is sinless and only has untainted intentions toward us? Despite all the goodness of God, He was still left behind by many. But the fact that Peter and the other disciples remained consoled Jesus. We, too, if we continue to believe in God and do not leave Him even when it is difficult, He will be consoled through us and our faithfulness. Peter knew that they had nowhere else to go but to God and this is true. Although they may not have fully understood the Eucharist because it was not yet established, they did not leave Jesus.  

They could wait for the Lord's revelation and it did happen. Even though they fled from the Cross except for John, they still returned and remained faithful to Jesus until the end.

When we do not understand something, we should not turn away from God either. Let's learn to trust and wait even if we don't understand things and wait for His answer. Because soon God will answer us, and everything will be clear. Jesus in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist truly gives life. We receive His Holy Blood and Body in the Holy Communion, and this is true. There must be great regret for the disciples who left because their minds could not initially reach what Jesus said. 

They abandoned God, His Church, and the Eucharist that would give them eternal life. But later, surely, things were clearly revealed to them. May God never allow us to go astray. May we also keep trusting in God no matter what happens with God's help. But it won't happen if we don't want it. Let's open our hearts to God and let Him work in and through us. May we continue to reflect on this and not give up on our faith even when it is difficult. May we continuously reflect on this. Amen. +

God bless us and give us peace of the Risen Christ. Amen. +

Reflections by: F.M.M.J.

Go to USCCB website for the full readings.