First Reading: Jo 24:1-2a.15-17.18b; Psalm: 34. R. v. 8a; Second Reading: Eph 5:21-32; Gospel: Jn 6:60-69

TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

Today’s gospel concludes the chapter six of John’s discourse on ‘Jesus the bread of life’ which we have been reading for the past four Sundays. But surprisingly, the conclusion of this teaching ended in a most dramatic way. The stark irony in this conclusive passage is that Christ’s gift of his flesh and blood which should unite the disciples in one communion with him and with one another ended up dividing them. “This is a hard saying;” they said, “who can listen to it?” And “After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer walked with him” (v. 60, 66). Such a bleak end is the effect of a literal understanding of the words of Christ.

However, Christ noticed that the twelve remained as against his many other followers who walked away. To be certain on their stance Christ asked; “Will you also go away?” (v. 67).  Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (v. 68). One obvious fact about Peter’s reply is that it was a profession of faith and not basically that he was completely comfortable with the teaching. No one will comfortably accept to feed on human flesh and blood, for the understanding of the twelve was not different from the understanding of the rest of the disciples who walked away. But the twelve stayed. Generally, this says a lot about our faith as believers and how we should respond accordingly. Faith is a journey and not a destination reached in few steps.

Following Christ does not promise that everything will be clear to us in an instant. It does not promise that all the answers we seek will be clearly answered to our satisfaction. It also does not promise that God would have to explain himself so explicitly to the extent that all doubts and uncertainties are cast out. Living the faith is not laboratory science contingent on data analysis and results to establish certainty. It is submitting to the supremacy of God whose mystery is incomprehensible unless granted to man. It is to believe in the fatherly love of God who wonderfully knitted and created us without our knowledge. It is to trust on God whose faithful love has kept and sustained us in unexplainable ways.

Following Jesus is making a choice in faith. The best alternative compared to other choices. When we make this decision, not everything will be clear to us. There will be room for doubts because it is a journey of faith. We will have experiences that will challenge our faith and commitment. We may wonder why death will snatch away our only child. Or why God will allow our marriage to hit rock bottom. We may search for answers as to why we have to go through the pain of cancer, series of heartbreaks and disappointments, or the loss of a job that provides for the family. We may have some doubts about some teachings of the faith or are scandalised by the sinful choices of a fellow Christian or a priest. As we grapple with all these crises of faith, we may be tempted to turn back and walk away. But to whom shall we go? Does anyone or any religion or way of life guarantee the absence of sickness, suffering, doubt, sin and death? And where else can we find the eternal life that Christ offers which is our ultimate goal? As we can see, Peter was right when he said; “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Christ offers us eternal life in the gift of himself in the Eucharist. We must not allow the crises of faith to steal this priceless gift from us. Christ did not promise that his ways and teachings will be easy. Neither did he promise that following him will exonerate us from all trials of life. But we are certain of one thing – Christ’s promise of eternal life. “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever” (v. 51). Our faith in this promise should surpass every doubt, every crisis, and every unanswered question of the faith. Our choice to follow Christ should be an authentic decision uninfluenced by human inadequacies and other negative factors.       

In our first reading, when Joshua feared that Israel might deviate and worship the gods of the Amorites upon their arrival at Shechem; Joshua asked Israel to make a choice between the Lord and the foreign gods of the land. Just like Joshua, Israel chose to serve the Lord recounting his mercies and faithfulness. When we look back and remember the mercies of God, we can find reasons to unequivocally trust and serve the Lord believing that his promises never fail. We may doubt our faith. We may have unanswered questions. Presently, we may even be at a crossroad and are about to make a very crucial decision of life. But make no mistake about it. There is no better choice than Christ because in him is the fullness of life. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, when we are disturbed by the doubt of faith and the crisis of life, help us with the enabling grace to trust in you still; for in you is the fullness of life and salvation. Amen.