The words of Jesus are tough indeed. And in today’s gospel, many leave because of the hard words of Jesus. But we know his words are Spirit and life. Readings for Today.
Spirit and Life
Are there times when you find the gospel and the words of Jesus just a little too tough? Maybe it is when he talks about the grain of wheat falling into the ground and dying. Perhaps it is when we hear him tell the rich young man to go and sell what he has and give to the poor.
Of course there are times when we hear the words of Jesus at Mass and they just gloss over us. Others we have heard so often they can lose their impact. And the phrase “Spirit and Life” is one of those phrases. Likely you have heard these words often. But to what degree have you allowed the meaning of these words to really sink into your soul?
What we hear in today’s gospel is part of the section we have been hearing from Saint John that discusses just what it means to believe in the Eucharist. But we may not fully appreciate just how difficult these words would be to hear. Too often we can take the Eucharist for granted.
But these hearers of Jesus in the gospel do no such thing. They hear Jesus speak clearly about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. These were strange words in deed. Just what is Jesus trying to say?
The words about the Eucharist can easily roll off of our tongues. We know about the Body of Christ. We have been to Mass repeatedly to receive the Eucharist. But are we really ready to recognize the power that the words of Jesus are indeed spirit and life?
For if we see the words of Jesus without faith, they are strange words indeed. If it were not for the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, the actions with his disciples, and indeed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we might find the teaching too hard and walk away.
People were seeking something amazing from Jesus. It is clear that they heard and saw the powerful actions of Jesus. We can only assume that they needed more out of their life than they were already receiving. Jesus seemed new. Jesus seemed like one who could pour out a new way of living that could last for ever.
And the challenge of the eyes of faith, of allowing ourselves to be permeated by the power of the Resurrection, can only be absorbed by the Resurrected New Life Jesus brings to us. And it is the reason that we don’t just celebrate Easter for just a week, but that such miraculous events can only be truly experienced for a season.
And so look around. Who is it around you that needs to hear the good news? Who is it who needs to have a relationship with Jesus that enables brokenness to be healed? Who needs to hear from you that the powerful love of Jesus is meant for all? Jesus looks tenderly upon each one of us so that we can see how to be saved.
The Paschal Mystery, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, is the source of our joy. It is the source of being able to see Jesus present in the sacraments, at the Mass, and in the seemingly ordinary events of our lives.
For we have very Good News to share. Not by badgering people in a way they could never accept the words of Jesus, but in a way that reveals that there is, for many, a much better way to live life. For the reach of Jesus extends beyond any barriers we could place in its way.
We simply need to see how clearly it is that Jesus wants to save us.
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