Christ the Cornerstone

Pray for the grace to make the right choice

“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68).

The Gospel reading for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Jn 6:60-69) mentions the disciples who left Jesus because his teaching was too hard for them. More importantly, it quotes Peter speaking for those disciples who chose to remain with Jesus in spite of the sacrifices required of them.

We are living in a time when many Catholics are following in the footsteps of the disciples who said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” (Jn 6:60)

Many conclude that the way of life that Jesus demands of authentic missionary disciples is not for them. “As a result of this,” St. John says, “many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him” (Jn 6:66).

The way of life proposed by Jesus is definitely not the easier, softer way. It takes courage and commitment, and it requires a significant amount of self-sacrificing love for God and for our neighbor.

The sayings of Jesus are hard. For example, “Anyone who wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” (Mt 16:24). Or “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the Earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household” (Mt 10:34-36).

These and many other examples show that, as Pope Francis frequently reminds us, the Lord’s way is not the path of least resistance. It demands that we “get off our comfortable couches” and go out to proclaim the Gospel, to heal the sick and troubled, and to “drive out evil spirits” by being advocates for justice and peace in our troubled world.

“Does this shock you?” Jesus asks his disciples. “What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe” (Jn 6:61-64).

Jesus’ words are Spirit and life. They both inspire and challenge us to repent, change our selfish, sinful ways, and believe that the Holy Spirit will guide us in living the Gospel in our daily lives.

As we learn from the first reading for this Sunday’s Mass from the book of Joshua (Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b), this is not a new situation in the history of Judaism or Christianity. Every age is confronted with a choice: Will we serve God or follow another path?

“Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges, and their officers. When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people: ‘If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord’ ” (Jos 24:1-2a, 15).

Jesus asks the same question of his disciples: “Do you also want to leave?” We know Peter’s response, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:67-69).

Why do Peter and many other disciples remain faithful? We can ask the same question of all the saints and martyrs throughout 2,000 years of Christian history. Why endure hardship, ridicule, fear, even death when there are easier paths to follow? Why deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus?

The one word answer is “joy.” Jesus is the source of a deep and abiding joy. His path leads to the satisfaction of our hungry hearts. He nourishes us, comforts us and loves us unconditionally. Christ’s path is not the easy way, but as all the saints (including the everyday saints next door) testify, his yoke is easy, and his burden is light (Mt 11:30).

God’s grace makes the hardships imposed by the laws of love easy to bear. No, Jesus’ way is not the easiest way, but our Lord never asks us to take on a burden without helping us carry the load. We each have a choice to make: Will we live only for ourselves (which seems easy but ends up being very difficult)? Or will we serve the Lord and live for others?

Let’s pray for the grace to make the right choice—today and every day of our lives. †