It is the spirit that gives life, not the flesh. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
But among you there are some who do not believe.” From the beginning, Jesus knew who would betray him. So he added,
“As I have told you, no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
After this many disciples withdrew and no longer followed him. Jesus asked the Twelve, “Will you also go away?”
Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
We now believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
REFLECTION:
"Faith can move mountains.” (Mt. 17:20) The early Christian community saw the meaning and power of believing and trusting in the promise of Jesus,
and so they performed amazing works in his name. Jesus assured them that they would – before he returned to the Father in heaven.
But this faith isn’t mere intellectual assent – like believing in something because we have incontrovertible,
clear and distinct proof of whatever it is that we are asked to believe. No, this is faith understood as a profound confidence
and trust that the words Jesus had spoken that the promise he had made, would be fulfilled.
That is the kind of faith that allowed the disciples and the early Christian church to spread Jesus’ message far and wide.
It is the kind of faith that many in the gospel reading found difficult to maintain. And yet it is the kind of faith that Jesus enjoins us,
his followers today, to have.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020
