21st Sunday: To Whom Shall We Go? (John 6:60-69)
Jesus asked the disciples: “Do you also want to leave?” The crowd followed wherever Jesus went; they wanted to get something from Jesus or they were looking for more miracles from Jesus. Suddenly, we notice a dramatic change in the mood of the crowd. People were murmuring against Jesus and they were walking away from Jesus.
Many did not like Jesus’ message and His teaching. “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you shall not have life within you.” Jesus’ followers could not make sense of this; many of them responded by turning back from following Jesus. But Peter responded: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” This shows us Peter’s willingness to follow Jesus with total trust and faith.
Many of Jesus’ followers left, except the twelve disciples. Instead of Jesus, any other political or religious leaders might have taken some other compromising spirituality to attract the people. However, Jesus was just the opposite. Jesus asked: “Do you also want to leave?” Jesus did not plead with them, but Jesus challenged the disciples. In today’s changing world, Jesus’ courage is very significant. Only the people, who stand for the truth, can speak courageously.
“Lord, to whom shall we go?” Perhaps in times of difficulty, we too might feel like leaving Jesus and want to “walk away” from our church. Life in the Christian community is hard. Sometimes, the church can be a tough place. We hear things that we do not like; we see things that we do not approve of; we are forced to pray with people with whom we do not agree, or people who are different. This is very hard and it is very challenging.
Let me share with you a small story: A lady went to her pastor and said, “I am going to leave from your church.” The pastor asked her, “What happened?” The lady said, “I heard some women were gossiping about another member, a few men were hypocrites, some people were looking at their phones during the service, and so many other things are wrong in your church.” The pastor replied, “Before you go, do me a favor: Take a full glass of water and walk around the church without spilling a drop of water on the ground. Afterwards, if you want, you can leave the church.” The lady thought it would be easy! She walked around the church as the pastor had asked. When she finished, she told the pastor she was ready to leave. The pastor said, “Before you leave, I want to ask you one more question. When you were walking around the church, did you hear anyone gossiping? Did you see any hypocrites? Was anyone looking at their phone? The lady replied, “No!” The pastor said, “Because you were focusing on the glass and on your walking, and you did not want to stumble and spill any water.
It is the same with our lives. When we keep our eyes on Jesus and walk with Jesus, we do not have time to see the mistakes of others. The other thing we can notice is that the church is filled with all kinds of people, and people are not perfect. So, we don’t want to grumble or criticize anyone without much reason.”
By baptism, we are called not only to enjoy its fruits but we are called to work in the vineyard of God, even when that vineyard is filled with thorns; we are exhausted, the fruit seems rare and the sun is beating down on us. This is the beauty of the church: that we will work alongside other sinners – sinners just like us!
Now is a very tough time for all of us in the church – from the Pope to the people in the pews. But remember that even the disciples were frightened by the storms of wind and waves; they felt that they were going to sink and die, but Jesus was with them and was able to rebuke the storm with a command, “Peace, be still.” Even the wind and sea obey Jesus. Jesus will never abandon His Church, and Jesus will never abandon any of us. However, these are not the times to leave; these are the most important times when the church needs us the most, just like Jesus needed the disciples to stay. Do not be afraid! Trust in God!
Let us make our choice for Jesus and try to live it every day in our lives. To live a Christ-centered life is a constant challenge and calling. Jesus does not promise that life is easier or more comfortable. Following Jesus does not mean that all our problems will be solved or all our questions will be answered; sometimes, we may have more questions than answers. Jesus constantly asks: “Will you also go away?” Peter’s answer was: “Lord, to whom shall we go?” What will be my answer?