Accepting the Truths of God

   “Do you also wish to go away?’  Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord to whom can we go?  You have the words of eternal life.’” (John 6: 67 – 68)

   This exchange took place at Jesus’ teaching that in order to have eternal life, one must eat His flesh and drink His blood.  He stated that His flesh was true food and His blood true drink.  He repeated this truth not once, but several times.

   This teaching was so difficult for some to accept than many of his disciples left Him.  He did not call them back to explain that He was only speaking symbolically or in parables, He let them leave.  He would not have allowed His disciples to leave, walking away from salvation, just because they didn’t understand the teaching.  They left because they did understand but refused to accept.  He was teaching truth and truth must either be accepted or rejected.  God’s gift of free will says we must make that choice.

   Today there are those who would like to see the Church redefined according to the whims of society.  They don’t want to be the ones who see the sins being committed and accept that sin leads to destruction.  Certainly, they don’t want to be the ones who point out that fact.  But the Church isn’t about being part of society, it’s about being the family of God and living by His truths.  Many, like the disciples who left rather than accept Jesus’ teaching about the Eucharist, simply leave or, worse yet, second guess God by picking and choosing which of His truths they will accept.

   The question remains, “Do you also wish to go away?” (John 6: 67)

Lord, some of Your teachings are hard.

We don’t really understand them.

Give us the faith to accept Your word.

To remain faithful to Your truths.

Amen