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Gospel Reading for April 20, 2024 – John 6: 60-69
TRUE FOLLOWERS
Many of the disciples of Jesus 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? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
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Perhaps some of us react like the disciples of Jesus, when we hear him say, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16: 24). When troubles come, we just give up on him.
Hopefully, we will be like Peter, who had the wisdom to understand that Jesus was the best one to go to. When we understand fully well and experience what Jesus meant about denying ourself, taking up our cross, and following him, we too will respond as Peter did, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!” If we are TRUE CHRISTIANS or TRUE FOLLOWERS of Jesus, we know that there is no one else to whom we can go if we are to live peaceful, happy, and fruitful lives through eternity.
Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life! You are the only one who can lead us to the Father!
