Gospel John 6:60-69
Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, "This saying is hard; who can accept it?" Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, "Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 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. 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. 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."
As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Reflection Jesus talks about the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. And what is fascinating to me as when he asks us to believe, He’s not asking us to understand how it works or what exactly it will change for us. Faith is belief that what is said is true, and when we believe that it's true, at least we're open to an experience.
The experience is going to teach us its importance, but it doesn't explain exactly how it works. The mind is often the enemy. If I can't figure out how this thing, God living in me works, then I can't, I can't accept it. But it always is inviting us to go beyond reason, beyond logic. Beyond figuring something out. It's to believe in a promise.
A promise of a force that enters into us, that changes our ability to be who God created us to be. That's the miracle of indwelling presence. We'll know it when we feel it. We'll know it when other people around us see us being a light to them. That's when we know for sure. But first, we have to believe that it's real.
Closing Prayer Father, our journey with you is an intimate one. No one in the Old Testament expected you to be a figure that would enter into our lives and be there as if you are our guest in our own home, and we see you every day and talk with you. But that somehow what you're saying clearly to us, I’m there with you always, please trust in me. It seems so sad to me that people will listen to those kinds of words and simply say, No, I don't, I don't need it. I don't understand it. I don't want it. I'm enough. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.