Hard to Follow

Today’s Gospel Text: Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. 65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." 66 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. 67 Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:60-69

Reflection: What is the hardest thing to do in life?

Is it passing an exam or getting a job or cooking your daily meal or fulfilling the daily obligations of life?

Yet for the many even the routine could be quite a drudgery to handle and may go through all sorts of mental agony and turmoil; an oppression.

Indeed, life is no bed of roses; some find it difficult to give up on the bondages of life or to forgive or let go of their many attachments to life and its many allurements.

Even the pleasures of life and its after effects can ruin the peace and tranquility of the many with a conscience ever at it, convicting them of the evil thereof.

But its still not the hardest thing to do in life because there are avenues, life styles, spirituality's and support structures in place in our corrupt society which supports the most sullied conscience.  The immoral have a place in our society and they, irrespective of their lifestyle, are highly immortalized by our world.

The priorities of the world are not in keeping with the priorities of God and in many places the members of the church too have made the human priorities the priorities of God rather than making the priorities of God a human priority.

Thus you arrive at the hardest thing to do in life, much harder than all of the above combined together:  To follow Christ Jesus and to walk in his ways.

Even in his own life time Jesus was faced with such a situation too: "Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?""  (vs. 60)

“After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him.” (vs. 66)

The call to follow Jesus is really difficult and can invite many negative tags and persecutions in the process, even by the so called followers of Christ and by princes who rule in his name and hence it is always hard.

Nevertheless, those who have put their hand to the plough will never look back, even if it means the cross. (Cfr. Lk. 9:62)

Prayer:  Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Ps 26:1

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Bring in Jesus

Today’s Gospel Text:  As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man. 27 They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was in the days of Lot - they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and sulphur rained from heaven and destroyed them all -  30 so will it be on the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 On that day, let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away; and likewise let him who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding together; one will be taken and the other left." 37 And they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together." Luke 17:26-37

Reflection: One clear sign for the day of the Lord; “They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage” (vs. 27)

“…they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built” (vs. 28)

What is so extraordinary about this sign that Jesus mentions or is there anything extraordinary about this prophetic revelation of his?

We eat, we drink, we get married, we buy and sell and plant and they are all necessary activities of life and hence what is so special about what Jesus is revealing.

Nothing and yet the message is as strong as the void it communicates. 

In the routine activity of life where we find comfort, solace, satisfaction, joys and hope we have to be careful and learn that Christ presence is never in it. No matter how beautiful and noble it maybe, we shouldn't be so enamored as to see God in it. 

He is not in the joys and hopes of daily routine as some would proclaim it but he needs to be brought into it by turning over our lives to Jesus and thus sanctifying these daily and routine activities of life.

If we do not then these things will reign and rule over us and our actions. And just as these earthly things will be destroyed on the day of Christ, making way for a new heaven and new earth, so also our souls attached to these daily routines of life.  

So today if you are eating or drinking or getting married or buying or selling or razing it down or building or whatever you are doing, ask yourself: Is Christ Jesus in it or not?

If not then bring him in into all your actions.

Prayer: Lord, may I co-operate with your grace and thus be your instrument to thank and praise you in all things and for everything.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us