HOMILY FOR 21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: BELIEVE & LIVE/ DISBELIEVE & LEAVE
BY: Fr. Ade
Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18, Eph. 5:21-32, John 6:60-69
Joshua says, “choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15)
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Jesus’ discourse about the ‘Bread of life’ in the gospel of St. John comes to a gradual close today and He makes a strong demand of us as He did the disciples back in the days. Christ is asking us if we want to be with him or we want to opt for other means and other ‘solutions’
Joshua in the first reading had just taken over the leadership of God’s pilgrim people and had to reconfirm and reaffirm their allegiance to the God who led them out of slavery in Egypt. Joshua made a choice to follow God faithfully with his entire household. Without hesitation, the whole of Israel also confirmed their total loyalty to God. When we crossed over into the new life through the waters of baptism like the people of Israel who crossed into liberation through the waters of the Red Sea, we also solemnly professed our faith. Our profession must continually be renewed and reaffirmed as circumstances keep changing and trials check the strength of this once professed faith.
Jesus having shown his ability to feed our physical bodies (feeding of the five thousand) and ability to nourish our spiritual parts) nourishing us with the bread of life, now demands loyalty to this course He is laying down for us. From the beginning, Jesus’ words puzzled people. Many of his disciples reject what he says (about eating his flesh and drinking his blood): they declare it “intolerable” Now, Jesus asks us today to make an even greater decision. With patience and graphic detail, he has explained the kind of relationship he desires with us: “If you want eternal life,” he says, “you must eat my flesh and drink my blood.” Hearing this, many grumbled and walked away. Jesus does not say to them, “Come back, I was only speaking symbolically. I am just talking about a nice, friendly meal.” Jesus turns to his disciples and asks, “Do you also want to leave?” Peter, like Joshua answers for them all: “There is no one else to go to!”
We have a ‘fast lane’ mentality ruling many minds in our time and this approach to life has distracted many from patiently focusing on Christ; the bread of life and real solution to all issues. With the fast lane mentality fast foods, fast cars, fast marriages, most times crashing even faster. In this whole rush and fast spiritual mindset, many cannot wait on Him who has the ‘Words of eternal life’ anymore. Running helter-skelter seeking solutions where they are mostly handed more problems to carry and more burdens to bear.
Christ beckons lovingly today, “Will you also LEAVE or you’ll stay and LIVE”?
To BELIEVE is to abide in Him and LIVE forever (eternal life)
To LEAVE is to depart His presence and perish eternally.
Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:67-69)
May He who Has the Words of eternal life, bless His Words in our hearts. Amen.
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