John 6:60-61
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?"
Old habits are hard to break. We fall into a routine and just go back to what is comfortable. Change is sometimes hard to accept and we look negatively to what is a new perspective or way of thinking. Such is the case in the gospel from John this weekend. Over the last three weeks, we have heard Jesus explaining that HE is the bread of life, that HE is true body and true blood and that by receiving Jesus as body and blood, that all will have eternal life. For most, this was incomprehensible. This was a radical change in thinking. Throughout Jesus's ministry we see him break from certain traditions, reverse the logic of old laws and introduce a new way of thinking. He asks us to consider turning the other cheek, love our neighbors as ourselves, and give to Caesar what is Caesars. The reading from John 6 however, is "out there"…it is radical, and for some even crazy. But Jesus said what he meant and meant what he said. Yet many couldn't accept and walked away. But Peter knew that Jesus was the hope for all. Peter knew that this world was fleeting, passing, but eternity so much more. "Master to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." This world is temporary, but true happiness is found in the Lord. Unfortunately many of us go to Mass, even daily, but slip back into our routine, our traditions, our sinful habits. Others have been away from the church for 10, 20 even 30 or more years. Old habits are hard to break. Allow me to challenge you today to take on a new way of thinking. Ask Jesus to be with you in all things. It's easy to take the road of this world, but it takes great courage to live the way of the Gospel. Be courageous today!
