The Pastor’s Reflections
The sixth chapter of John’s gospel ends with a serious split among the disciples of Jesus after he presented his central teaching to them. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” This brought his followers to a crossroad. They found this a hard saying, difficult to accept. As a result, “Many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.”
Jesus turned to his inner court, the apostles, and asked them if they were going to leave him, too? Peter answered for the group. “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Today, I think we need to grasp on to Peter’s answer. We’re standing at the same crossroads that those disciples stood at that day. Many who identified themselves as Christians are searching. They haven’t interiorized Jesus’ teachings. They’re hoping to discover an easy, feel-good message that will make them “happy.” Think about it. How many of your friends and relatives have left the Church to go out shopping for a more meaningful message. I’ve heard so many excuses. The Church is out of touch with the times. There’s too much ritual. The priest’s message doesn’t speak to me.
Add to that the disconnect with the Christian community. My kids have their sports programs on Sunday I can’t go to church. We go away on weekends. We don’t know anybody in the church.
I know I’m preaching to the choir – and for a purpose. You’re the ones who will best carry the message of Jesus to those who are searching. But first you need to be in communion with his word. So many times, I’ve mentioned that the central teachings of Jesus that can be found in a tight package in the gospel of Matthew – chapters 5, 6 and 7. Please, read these chapters. Pray with them, over, and over again. Digest the teachings. Share them in your own unique way. Don’t be afraid to be light for the world.
Discover Jesus in the gospel of John, the mystical gospel. Meditate on the “I am” statements. You don’t need a guide – just an open heart to receive him. I am the Good Shepherd, the Vine, the Door, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Let’s end with a quote from Matthew’s gospel. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
You’re reading this reflection you’re connecting with Jesus’ message. Think of all those who have lost the foundation
Are you shaky? – do you understand what the eucharist is?
