You Have the Words of Eternal Life

As we come to the end of the “Bread of Life  Discourse” in St. John’s Gospel, Jesus’ words demand a response.  Our Lord claims to be sent by God to give us eternal life.  He demands that we believe Him if we are to receive this life.

Jesus offers us His flesh and blood as life – giving nourishment.  We have to either stake our lives on Jesus being who He says He is, able to do what He claims He can do, or dismiss Jesus as a deluded wonderworker, who came to an unfortunate end on the cross.  Many who encountered Jesus did dismiss Him because of His claims, even some who had been His disciples.

Believing in Jesus as the God- sent source of eternal life is no small act of faith.  Human eyes can look at Jesus and see only a man- an extraordinary man, certainly, but nonetheless only a man.  Jesus acknowledges this when He says “the flesh is of no avail”.  It takes more than ordinary sight to see who Jesus is.  It requires God’s help; it requires the gift of the spirit.

In the other three Gospels, Peter professes faith in Jesus as the Messiah.  (Matt 16:16; Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20).  John’s Gospel formulates Peter’s confession  in light of the particular message of this Gospel.  Peter acknowledges that Jesus has “the words of eternal life” and professes that “we have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God”.  Peter believes in Jesus as the one sent by God to bring eternal life.  John’s Gospel invites us to the same act of faith.

As we live our personal response to the message of Jesus, let us turn to Him as the one through whom we will be raised up to eternal life.  As we receive Holy Communion today let us profess our faith in Jesus, the Word made flesh, sent by the Father to bring us to Him.

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell