you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the
flesh cannot help. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. But among
you there are some who do not believe.” From the beginning, Jesus knew who would betray him.
So he added, “As I have told you, no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
After this many disciples withdrew and no longer followed him. Jesus asked the Twelve, “Will you
also go away?” Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal
life. We now believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Lectio Divina:
READ: Jesus’ words on His bread of life discourse is very hard to understand.
Even some of His disciples could not accept it. Jesus in turn said that if they could
not accept His words now, how much more the greater things yet to come? He
also discloses that not all who follow Him will persevere. Because of this many
left Him. Only a handful remained who believed.
REFLECT: The honeymoon is now over. Jesus has to tell them hard truths. Many
so far follow Him because His words are pleasant and does not shock. But He has
to tell them the hard truth. He doesn’t want them to be blind disciples but wide
awake and aware. And so, when He started saying the bread of life discourse,
many leave Him because the language is hard to believe. This is the moment
when a believer is asked to discern and make a response. After all, the decision
to believe is a mature decision. It cannot be taken lightly. So many disciples
leave. Only the Twelve through Peter as their spokesperson did not. They have
heard and seen enough to convince them that Jesus is the Holy One of God. It
is their witness that the Church preserves as her article of faith.
RESPOND: Let us examine and see how many times we leave the Lord behind
when it is difficult and hard. Those moments need not be a cause of shame for
us. Rather, they tell us of who we are. And the more we understand ourselves,
the better we can control and discipline ourselves.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021