REFLECTIONS TODAY
Conforming our life to that of Jesus is never an easy task. It entails that we live out the Gospel values taught by Jesus. Jesus’ words are too hard to accept because while the Gospel values are difficult to practice, the worldly values remain to be so enticing. Hence, even if one tries to live up to the challenge posed by Jesus’ teachings, one may also easily backslide to one’s old self.
Unless we grow in our spiritual life, we would also find it hard to accept and live out Jesus’ teachings. Today’s Gospel narrates that many of Jesus’ disciples return to their former way of life because they find that the words (ta rēmata) spoken to them by Jesus are too difficult for them to take. They find the teachings of Jesus to be very hard to ponder because they lack the needed spiritual maturity.
An indicator that one is growing as a spiritually mature person is the admittance that we need Jesus and his words. Should we really want to be transformed and be enriched by the words that give life, there is nowhere else to go but to Jesus. In today’s Gospel, this is clearly articulated by Peter. When Jesus asks the Twelve if they also want to leave him behind, Simon Peter answers that since they want to be enriched and transformed by the words of eternal life, they have nowhere else to go but to Jesus. It is the Spirit that prompts Peter to say these things. They have to remain in Jesus and be enriched by his words continually. It is the same Spirit that enables them to remain in Jesus while many already falter.
Jesus’ words are spirit and life. It is not the flesh but the Spirit that gives life. In our journey as Jesus’ disciples, there are times when we get lost because we refuse to allow the Holy Spirit and the words of Jesus to guide us. Hence, we would easily backslide and return to our former way of life rather than allow Jesus’ words to enrich us, no matter how difficult the challenges they entail.
There are times when we have already learned the value of self-sacrifice but would also tend to go back to things that give us comfort at other people’s expense. There are times when we have already learned the value of simplicity but would later on return to our consumeristic lifestyle. There are times when we have already learned the value of truth-telling only to be browbeaten by too much concern for our own safety. These are indicators of our lack of spiritual maturity.
If we find Jesus’ words to be enriching, there should be no turning away from them. The true spiritually mature people have nowhere else to go but to Jesus. To accept Jesus’ words with all the challenges they pose is the way to go.
Gospel • John 6:60-69
Many of Jesus’ disciples 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 accompanied 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.”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.