Greetings on this the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21; Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32; Jn 6:60-69
Sunday Series on the Bread of Life (Final)
Here is an important background for the gospel portion today.
By the time the Bread of Life discourse occurs Jesus had already performed 5 of the seven Signs of the Gospel of John.
Before the Bread of Life Discourse
- Wedding Cana 2:1-11
- Royal Official Son 4:43-54
- Paralytic at Pool 5:1-9
- Multiply Loaves 6:1-5
- Walk on Water 6:16-25
After the Bread of Life Discourse
- Man born blind 9:1-41
- Lazarus 11:1-44
And if even that isn’t enough, 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? Jesus predicting his own Ascension. By teaching, word, deed, miracles (Signs) and Resurrection & Ascension, Jesus proves his message and his person. In our time we are enlightened by the Spirit of Truth who brings clarity to these revelations.
Summary
Many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.
Of the five Signs before the discourse one could imagine some justification for doubt. The Wine at Cana was a private Sign, the Son of a royal official was a remote healing, the paralytic at the pool called Bethesda was private and the walking on water was seen by by the disciples. Only the bread multiplication was public. OK. Up until now maybe we could say doubt is not unreasonable. But the healing of the one blind from birth was very public (and had an official review) and the raising of Lazarus was entirely public and undeniable (so much so they wanted to kill Lazarus to stop the story from being told and retold).
Reflection
It is our first reading that bring us back to our right minds! The doubts are nothing in comparison to the overwhelming evidence presented by Joshua to the people. It was time to decide. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. To which they considered what they knew responded, therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.” Joshua was the blessed successor to Moses but he performed no miracles. But he did faithfully remembered the Exodus, obeyed the Lord in all matters and the restoration of the people to the land was assured.
Personal Reflection
What if? is Jesus’ question to us. Perhaps we can reframe the question: What else do you need? Given all the signs and the Resurrection itself how hard can it be to believe? The question is answered by their answer ‘it is hard‘.
There are two types of hardness. Hardening of the heart can be because we steadfastly refuse to believe love itself. The other, and I hope never for you, the Lord hardens the heart as a method to soften the heart (tough medicine, as it were).
‘It is hard‘ means that the exuberant and powerful expression of the divine love (in the flesh for the life of the world) seems to be impossible for them. How is it the Lord loves me so completely? Do not weigh love by the measure you are capable to love (in any given moment, on any given day). Weigh divine love by the measure of its abundance for you.
I have a little saying I keep in my office. It was from the early days of Seminary. It keeps me grounded in the fullness of God’s love.
God's love is Unconditional.
I am forgiven.
Good or bad, God is with me.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Come to the Eucharistic celebration of this amazing, real, in-the-now expression of divine presence and divine love.
Sacred Readings
Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082524.cfm
First Reading
Joshua addressed all the people: “If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
For it was the LORD, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among the peoples through whom we passed.
Responsorial
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Second Reading
Brothers and sisters: Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Gospel Acclamation
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.
Gospel
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?
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry