Saturday – St Catherine of Siena

Gospel –John 6:60-69

You Can’t Handle the Truth

Chapel at Magdala

We have all faced moments like this in our lives.  Maybe it was Mom and Dad sitting us down to hit us with the hard truth, the stark reality of life.  Maybe we messed up and now it was time to come clean and face the punishment.  Maybe it was having to deal with a harsh reality: sudden death or illness, the breakup of a family or a relationship, or the boss sitting us down for a performance review that does not go well. 

Many of Jesus’ disciples, in today’s Gospel, also have a difficult time with the truth.  Jesus is offering them His Body and Blood; He is offering them eternal life.  And they can’t accept it; they refuse to believe it.  In fact, many of His disciples walk away and go back to their former lives.  Instead of moving forward in life and in faith, they choose to go back to the way things used to be.  They turn their backs on life eternal and head home.

So Jesus asks the Apostles whether they are going to leave as well. And Peter answers with a stunning profession of faith.  Where else should we go?  You have the words of eternal life!  We know that you are the Holy One of God! 

In moments of trial and testing, when life hits us with harsh reality, Jesus asks us the same question!  Are you going to leave me?  Are you going to turn your back on me?  Or will you continue to follow me? 

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