Gospel: August 25, 2024
August 25, 2024 (Sunday)
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 1 / (Green)
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34: 2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23 (9a)
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
1st Reading: Joshua 24: 1-2a, 15-17, 18b
2nd Reading: Ephesians 5: 21-32 (or Ephesians 5: 2a, 25-32)
Gospel: John 6: 60-69
After hearing this, many of Jesus’ followers said, “This language is very hard! Who can accept it?”
Jesus was aware that his disciples were murmuring about this and so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then how will you react when you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; 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.”
Lectio Divina:
Read: After hearing Jesus’ words, Jesus’ followers found the words of Jesus hard and too difficult to accept. Jesus was aware of the murmurings of his disciples. He asked them if they were upset of his words. If the disciples could not accept his words, how would they react if they would see Jesus ascending to where he was before. It is the spirit, and not the flesh, that gives life. Jesus’ words are spirit and life. Jesus was aware who were not believing in him and who would betray him. Afterward, many of Jesus’ followers left him. He asked the Twelve if they too would leave. Peter said that they could not go to anyone else. Jesus has the words of eternal life. Peter professed that Jesus is the Holy One of God.
Reflect: It is not the flesh but the Spirit that gives life. Jesus’ words are spirit and life. In our journey of faith, there are times when we feel at a loss because we do not allow the Holy Spirit and the words of Jesus to guide us. There are times when we may experience a kind of spiritual dryness. Life does not only consist in being physically alive. We are always called to be spiritually alive by living out the Gospel values taught to us by Jesus.
Pray: Let us pray that we may truly accept Jesus’ words together with the challenges they pose.
Act: Let us reread John 6. Let us reflect on one challenging inspiration that may come to us. Let us try living up to such challenge.
