By Rabindra Mallick csc –
Readings: Jos 24:1-2, 15-18; Eph 5:21-32; Jn 6:60-69
During his ministry, Jesus revealed his identity in various events. He said that he is the way, the truth, the life, a comforter, a friend, a savior, and the living water. In the gospel reading, he says that he is the bread of life and the words he speaks are, spirit and life.
All these assurances that Jesus spoke were true and eternal in the sight of God. But people could not understand what Jesus meant. Therefore, many of his followers deserted him. Today, he also speaks to us through our friends, through the people we meet, through the word of God, and in the Eucharist.
As baptized Christians, we have a great opportunity to hear and encounter Jesus directly in the Holy Eucharist. Often, we give less importance to the Eucharist because we see it as an event or duty we must attend to.
During this pandemic, we have doubted and questioned the presence of Jesus amidst us due to the loss of our near and dear ones. We have seen people all over the world suffering in various ways. All these incidents have brought us dilemma, uncertainty, and have weakened our faith in Jesus Christ.
It is at this juncture of our lives that Jesus is asking us: ‘do you also want to go away from me?’ Today and now, let us look at our lives and confess like Peter and say, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we believe and know that you are the holy one of God.”