From the responsorial psalm: “When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 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.”
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life,” Jesus has just finished saying, “and I will raise him on the last day.” After saying this to a skeptical crowd in the synagogue in Capernaum, many of the followers of Jesus left him. Finishing what is known as the Bread of Life Discourse, and knowing there are some who do not believe him, Jesus says, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” He asks the Twelve if there are any among them who want to leave. And Simon Peter answers: “You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” These are the words of one who would later deny Jesus but also the one to whom Jesus said: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” Peter exemplifies for us the journey from wavering, weakness, and division to faith, authority, and unity.
God, help me understand today’s Gospel. In it, Jesus says that no one can come to him unless it is granted by you, his Father. Strengthen my faith so that I come to the conviction, like Peter, that Jesus is the Holy One of God. “As for me and my household,” Joshua said, ” we will serve the LORD.” Just as Paul speaks of Christ and the Church through the example of man and wife becoming one flesh, help me participate fully in the life-giving mystery of union with you through the Bread of Life, through love made manifest in the Eucharist. In the truth of humility, help me see my dependence on you for everything. Guide me to your Son as I come to believe in him more fully. “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.