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, 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.”
Reflect
The Bible is filled with questions. God asks questions of us and we ask questions of God. Our
God is so near to us that his ear is always ready to hear our questions. The questions in today’s
Gospel may be the most profound in Scripture. These questions continue to echo in our day.
Jesus asks the Twelve if they are going to leave him as many of his followers had done already.
In fact, all of the Twelve except the beloved disciple would ultimately leave Jesus, abandoning
him to face the cross alone. Jesus asks us the same question. Will we leave him? Will we walk
away from our relationship with Christ in his Church, pursuing instead the values of the world?
Or will we remain committed to our faith, even when it is difficult?
Peter answers Jesus’ question with a question of his own. We might share Peter’s question:
Lord, to whom shall we go? Who but Jesus can offer us truth and wholeness, healing and life?
Who else can show us the path that leads to heaven and give us the grace to follow that path?
Only Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023