Do I Believe?

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, August 25th, 2024:
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

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John
6.53, 60-69

​Jesus said to the people: “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”

When many of his disciples heard this, they said: “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”

But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him.

And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted them by my Father.”

Because of this many of his disciples turned back, and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

As someone who was born and raised Catholic, I often overlook this particular scripture! I was about eight years old when I received my First Holy Communion, and I gave no real thought to the idea that it was the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. By the time I was at an age to reflect on this, I just didn’t care, because I was really a Catholic in name only. When I experienced the love of God and chose to freely surrender myself to him, I again, didn’t question this teaching. I was naive, some would say; I believe I was given a gift where I trusted that if the Church teaches it, it must be true – even if I don’t fully understand it! So I have never doubted the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. I believe that Jesus freely gives Himself to me without question or reservation, even if I am completely unworthy. It is absolutely amazing! 

When I sat and reflected on this reality in preparation for writing this reflection, I was struck by the fact that I trust completely in the true presence, but I constantly doubt God’s plan – His love, His care for me. I constantly struggle to understand the “next step” in my life because I don’t trust God. Why do you suppose it is easier for me to believe that bread and wine become flesh and blood than it is to believe that all things are in God’s hands, and that the seemingly good and bad in my life are meant to draw me closer to God and unite me to Him?

Simon Peter says what I need to focus on in my prayer and in my daily life: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

If I believe even a little bit in the truth of what Simon Peter says, I will trust in God’s plan and in His love for me. I will grow in the little trust I have been given and I will not be disappointed.




Sister Teresa MacDonald

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