RB: Ch 68 Assignment of Impossible Tasks
Mass: Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Resp Ps 34; Ep 5:21-32; Jn 6:60-69
Master, to whom shall we go?
Simon Peter's question to Jesus brings to mind a recent conversation I had with a 'thirtysomething'. We were discussing a question that has come to her, that is, 'Is this all there is?' I, now a 'fiftysomething', commented that the same question came to me some 20 years ago. It may happen that there is a time in life when one questions. Something seems amiss. Even though everything seems to be in place, that the recipe to happiness has been followed in the form of education, gainful employment, nice home, nice car, opportunities for travel, etc, something is missing. One is faced with wondering what the purpose or meaning of life is. The Holy Spirit starts to nudge us to move in another direction, namely, the direction of following Jesus and being open to doing God's will. Or rather, we start listening to the still, small voice of God speaking to us. The choice is ours to make, whenever presented to us during our life's journey to God. Some find Jesus' way more fulfilling, others go back to following the recipe for happiness as set forth by society at large. John Donahue puts it this way: Many of Jesus' disciples return 'to their former way of life,' and he turns to the Twelve and asks if they want to leave...'Do you also want to leave?' This is acutely symbolic of the choices facing people on their religious journey. Even the most profound revelation of Jesus, that he is God's wisdom for humanity and that all who eat his flesh and drink his blood will have fullness of life, does not take away the mystery of human freedom. God's gifts are extraordinary and inviting, but when faced with them, people can return to their former way of life.
MASTER, YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF EVERLASTING LIFE. WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE AND ARE CONVINCED THAT YOU ARE THE HOLY ONE OF GOD.
Living and true God, grant us the grace.
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