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.
(John 6:63)
The gift of Jesus is the life that underpins our human life. His words lead us into a quality of life which gives meaning, hope, and love in all we do. Nobody else can give what Jesus gives - a full meaning of life, seen in the example of His life.
Our faith in Jesus often involves grappling with difficult and challenging teachings. We should show a deep commitment to Jesus despite not fully understanding everything He said, recognizing His divine identity and accepting Him as our personal Lord and Savior.
Let us follow Jesus all the way until the very last breath we have as mortals. To follow Him means to sacrifice here on earth. To follow Him means to live with humility and service to everyone. To be happy even with little things and to glorify the name of the Lord our savior.
In the tapestry of life, so grand and so bright,
The gift of Jesus is our guiding light.
His words lead us on a journey, so true,
Giving meaning, hope, and love anew.
No one else can give what Jesus imparts,
A full meaning of life, touching all hearts.
Seen in His life, an example so clear,
His teachings, though challenging, we hold dear.
Our faith in Jesus, a beacon in the night,
Helps us grapple with teachings, so bright.
Despite not understanding all He has said,
We show deep commitment, by Him we are led.
Recognizing His divinity, accepting His grace,
We see Him as our Savior, in every place.
Until our last breath, to Him we stay true,
Following Jesus is what we are called to do.
To follow Him means to sacrifice, to give,
To live with humility, in His service we live.
Finding happiness in little things, in love so pure,
We glorify the Lord, forever secure.
Dear Lord Jesus,
In the quiet chambers of our hearts, we come before You. We recognize that following You is not a fleeting commitment but a lifelong choice—a daily surrender of our will to Yours.
Grant us persistence, O Savior. Just as an alcoholic in recovery cannot have just one drink, we acknowledge that our faith journey involves continuous abiding in You. Strengthen our resolve, for we long to remain rooted in Your love.
Teach us trust, Master. When doubts assail and storms rage, help us cling to Your promises. Our faith rests in You alone—the One who holds the keys to eternal life. In You, we find refuge, purpose, and hope.
May our lives be a testament to Your grace. As branches connected to the Vine, may we bear fruit that glorifies Your name. Let our marriages reflect the sacred bond between Christ and His Church—a love that transcends time and space.
Lord Jesus, we turn to You. You offer eternal life, and there’s no better place to abide. Transform us, mold us, and draw us closer each day. May our hearts echo the psalmist’s words: “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8).
In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
Background:
John 6:60-69 is a passage from the New Testament of the Bible, specifically from the Gospel of John. This passage is part of a larger discourse known as the “Bread of Life Discourse” which takes place after the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand.
In this passage, many of Jesus’ disciples find His teachings difficult to accept and understand, particularly His statement about eating His flesh and drinking His blood for eternal life. As a result, many of His disciples turn back and no longer follow Him.
Jesus then turns to His twelve apostles and asks if they also wish to leave. Simon Peter, speaking for the group, affirms their faith in Jesus, acknowledging that He has the words of eternal life and proclaiming their belief that Jesus is the Holy One of God.
This passage underscores several key themes:
The challenge of accepting Jesus’ teachings, especially when they go against conventional wisdom or understanding.
The importance of faith in overcoming doubts and difficulties.
The affirmation of Jesus as the source of eternal life and the Holy One of God.
This passage is a deep representation that people need faith to survive. It shows that while some practice their faith, there are also those who don’t. It also highlights the importance of making a personal commitment to Jesus, even when faced with hard teachings.
Learning Lessons:
John 6:60-69 offers several spiritual lessons:
Faith in Difficult Teachings: Jesus’ teachings, especially about eating His flesh and drinking His blood for eternal life, were hard for many disciples to accept. This passage teaches us that faith often involves grappling with difficult and challenging teachings.
The Importance of Commitment: When many disciples left Jesus because of His hard teachings, Peter chose to stay His response, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” shows a deep commitment to Jesus despite not fully understanding everything He said.
Recognizing Jesus as the Holy One of God: Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Holy One of God underscores the importance of recognizing Jesus’ divine identity and accepting Him as our personal Lord and Savior12.
The Value of Spiritual Life: The gift of Jesus is the life that underpins our human life. His words lead us into a quality of life which gives meaning, hope, and love in all we do. Nobody else can give what Jesus gives - a full meaning of life, seen in the example of His life.
Perseverance in Faith: This passage teaches us to follow Jesus all the way until the very last breath we have as mortals. To follow Him means to sacrifice here on earth. To follow Him means to live with humility and service to everyone. To be happy even with little things and to glorify the name of the Lord our savior.
These lessons remind us of the importance of faith, commitment, recognition of Jesus’ divinity, the value of spiritual life, and perseverance in our spiritual journey.
Pericope:
II: The Book of Signs
THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE
John 6:60-71
Gospel Acclamation
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.
Gospel | John 6:60-69
60 Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” 61 Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? 62 What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 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. 64 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. 65 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.” 66 As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. 67 Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot