Believing in the Son is Believing in the Father
After all the attempts by prophets, Jesus himself and the apostles as well as disciples of Jesus, to convert the Jews to listen to the Gospel, failed, the mission was transferred to the Gentiles. In the first reading today, we see that because of persecution, all disciples and apostles ran to different places and there they proclaimed the gospel and many people believed. Do you allow the gospel to pass over you or do you accept it and believe in Jesus? Do you take part in persecuting those Jesus has chosen for his mission, or do you support them in any way possible. Persecution does not necessarily mean physical torture or killing but when we do not give warm welcome to the gospel herald, when we do not support them, when we reject them and claim that they should be transferred from our parishes, when we talk bad about them instead of praying for them, and others of a sort, we are persecuting them.
We continue our reflection on John 6, also called The Bread of Life discourse, which is one of the most theologically complex chapters in the Gospel, and yet we must understand it to know who Jesus is! Jesus is the Father’s gift, the greatest gift. He sustains us in this life and makes eternal life possible. He invites us to feed on him, learn from him, and allow Him to transform our lives. In this passage, Jesus had just performed a great miracle by multiplying the loaves and fish to feed the five thousand (John 6:1-15). Then he walked on the stormy sea (John 6:16-21) where he declared I AM (John 6:20), harkening back to the stormy chaos of the beginning of the book of Genesis and the Exodus where God revealed himself to Moses as I AM. After a brief introduction (John 6:22-31), where the people were “seeking Jesus,” he began his most challenging sermon of all in John 6:35, where he declared, “I am the bread of life.” This teaching was not just philosophically challenging to first-century Jews—it was utterly disgusting. Their laws were clear. You shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood (Leviticus 3:17).
In today's gospel, Jesus makes three claims. First, he offers himself as spiritual food which produces the very life of God within us as he declares that he is the bread of life. The life Jesus means here is something more than mere physical existence. The life Jesus refers to is connected with God, the author of life. Real life is a relationship with the living God, a relationship of trust, love, obedience, peace, and joy. This is what Jesus makes possible for us - a loving relationship with God who created us for love with him. Apart from Jesus no one can enter that kind of life and relationship. Are you satisfied with mere physical existence, or do you hunger for the abundant life which Jesus offers?
Second, he promises unbroken friendship and freedom from the fear of being forsaken or cut off from God. Gathering together all the people without losing anybody was his Father's will. In fact, one of the reasons why Christ came to the world and especially why he died was to make us one people in communion with God (Christians). St. Paul (Colossians 1:20) says that God’s whole purpose is to “reconcile all things” to himself. Jesus is the great gathering force for which the early Jews were waiting. He is the suffering servant, coming only to do his Father’s will, to defeat death, to open the gates of Heaven for us, to bring us home. Just as a hen gathers its chicks under its wings, Christ comes to set things right, to bring us back in line, and gather us all into a people pleasing to God and who will serve God forever around his throne in heaven (Rev 7:14-15). St Augustine of Hippo says that "they enter where enters the good and faithful servant to whom the Lord will say, 'Enter into the joy of your Lord' and where they will be fully satisfied. Do you accept to be gathered by Jesus into his flock?
Third, he offers us the hope of sharing in his resurrection. Jesus rose physically never to die again. Those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior will be bodily raised up to immortal life with Jesus when he comes again on the last day. Christ here helps us see with clarity what’s needed to gain eternal life and live forever with him: faith. That’s what he asked of Martha when she approached him after her brother Lazarus’s death. Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe. Do you know the joy and hope of the resurrection?
Reflect today on these three claims of Jesus in today's Gospel and the whole chapter 6 of John and become more believing.
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, your death brought life and hope where there was once only despair and defeat through your resurrection. Give me the unshakable hope of everlasting life, the inexpressible joy of knowing your unfailing love, and the unwavering faith and obedience in doing the will of our Father in heaven so that at last your will raise me up to be with you forever in heaven.
Be blessed and Happy Easter season.
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