Many of the people turned and walked away.
Jesus asked the Twelve - 'do you want to go away?'
Peter replied...'to whom shall we go?'
Jesus asked the Twelve - 'do you want to go away?'
Peter replied...'to whom shall we go?'
Gospel Reading John 6: 60-69
Of all the things that prove the Catholic Church has it right when it teaches about the Real Presence in the Mass - the opening of this piece of scripture is surely the most definitive. Many of the people turned and walked away. They could not accept such a firm, clear statement even from a man who had worked the miracle of the loaves and fish and who could walk on water. But Jesus is the Truth and having said what he said, he held to it even though he was losing much of his following. Did the people misunderstand? Perhaps, or perhaps they could not countenance a God who would be so closely involved in their everyday life as to allow himself to be used as spiritual food. Maybe such an utterly close relationship with God is too invasisive for some people.
Poor Peter. As usual it is him who has to answer for the apostles. When the crowd leaves, Jesus asks the Twelve, "do you want to go away?" Peter gives an answer full of love and tenderness; "Lord to whom shall we go. You have the message of eternal life..." At the time he said this, Peter could have had no real understanding of what he was saying but he knew Jesus as a person and he knew he was something totally different than anyone whom he had ever met. Like us he was still growing in understanding. This Eucharist teaching does not make human sense......yet in faith it is the most beautiful teaching imaginable!
Of all the things that prove the Catholic Church has it right when it teaches about the Real Presence in the Mass - the opening of this piece of scripture is surely the most definitive. Many of the people turned and walked away. They could not accept such a firm, clear statement even from a man who had worked the miracle of the loaves and fish and who could walk on water. But Jesus is the Truth and having said what he said, he held to it even though he was losing much of his following. Did the people misunderstand? Perhaps, or perhaps they could not countenance a God who would be so closely involved in their everyday life as to allow himself to be used as spiritual food. Maybe such an utterly close relationship with God is too invasisive for some people.
Poor Peter. As usual it is him who has to answer for the apostles. When the crowd leaves, Jesus asks the Twelve, "do you want to go away?" Peter gives an answer full of love and tenderness; "Lord to whom shall we go. You have the message of eternal life..." At the time he said this, Peter could have had no real understanding of what he was saying but he knew Jesus as a person and he knew he was something totally different than anyone whom he had ever met. Like us he was still growing in understanding. This Eucharist teaching does not make human sense......yet in faith it is the most beautiful teaching imaginable!
