A Gospel Reflection
by Father Livingstone
Saturday, May 2nd
John 6:59-69,
Revised New English Bible
Jesus said these things in the synagogue as he taught in Capernaum. On hearing them, many of his disciples exclaimed, “This is more than we can stand! How can anyone listen to such talk? Jesus was aware that his disciples were grumbling about it and asked them, “Does this shock you?
Then what if you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh can achieve nothing; the words I have spoken to you are both spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who have no faith.” For Jesus knew from the outset who were without faith and who was to betray him. So he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it has been granted to him by the Father.”
From that moment many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Your words are words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are God’s Holy One.” Jesus answered, “Have I not chosen the twelve of you? Yet one of you is a devil.” He meant Judas son of Simon Iscariot. It was he who would betray him, and he was one of the Twelve.
MEDITATION: Why do some find it easier and others find it hard to accept Jesus? God is the author of life and the One who breathes his Spirit into those who believe in him. It is through his Spirit residing in us that we come to know Jesus as the Holy One of God, the eternal Son who reconciles us with the Father. Faith is a gift and a personal response to God’s revelation of himself. We come to know God personally through his Word. Do you believe, as Peter did, that Jesus has the power to change and transform your life?
