Second Meditation - John 6

In these five reflections we are seeking a deeper understanding of the message in John’s gospel chapter 6 – what is its unique message for us in these times. This is the Eighteenth Sunday of Year B and our passage from John's gospel comprises verses 24 to 35. For each meditation we key off verse 66. Many of Jesus' follower have quit going  with him. Taking into account the effects the Covid-19 pandemic is having, in recent years there is without a doubt a decline in the numbers of Catholics practicing their faith. Why? Indeed, could it be that you have consider quitting? In verse 24 it tells us that Jesus was missing. So the people got into their boats and went off looking for him. (The “Boat” as you know is often used as an image representing the Church, or our parish). On finding Jesus, now on a "different" side, their question to him might sound like, “… why did you leave us, why have you changed. It was so beautiful when you were right there with us blessing our lives, meeting our needs when ever we needed you.” At the outset of the Second Vatican Council Pope John XXIII prayed for a “New Pentecost” in the Church, and for a few decades following there were many grace-filled movements that began in the Church. These renewal movements shared a common experience, a deep sense of the personal presence of Jesus in peoples lives. Perhaps you experienced being part of one of these movements. Things have changed – where is the enthusiasm today, the voices of praise, the certainty of faith among the faithful, seemingly every prayer answered  – where has Jesus gone? When the people in the gospel passage put this question to Jesus his reply is - are you seeking me just to have your fill of comfort food, are you not missing something? CONSIDER: How often do you hear people say, (or do you say) I stopped going to church because I was no longer getting anything out of church. Is that why we go to church, just to be comforted, (to have our fill of the comfort-loaves) to escape the troubles of this world? CONSIDER: The great mystics of the Church, such as John of the Cross, St. Ignatius, in their teaching on prayer they talk about the Dark Night - how God seems to hide his grace of consolation in order to take us to an even deeper experience of his presence. Are you making an effort even to have a spiritual life - to understand that the comfort food of religion is only a SIGN, there is so much more. The Lord wants to take us deeper into the "mystery" of our faith.  CONSIDER: Are we not missing the point - it is not about me, it is about Him. I go to church to find Him who does not take away the world but who teaches me how to survive in the world, how to change the world rather than to have the world change me. CONSIDER: Take some time and ponder these words of St. Paul teaching the Galatian Church how it all changed when they became true believers:  I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Gal. 2:20 CONSIDER: “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?”  In todays secular/rationalist environment this challenge is an ever-present demand - where is your proof; where is the evidence to prove your religion's claims. Today all the sciences quite nicely can explain why you have all these religious beliefs in your head. Religion is nothing more than myth after all. Does this explain the decline in religious practice today? Are you being affected by such secular challenges. Do you have a solid, convincing answer? CONSIDER: When Jesus changed the conversation from, "I can provide for all of your needs" to "it's all about Me", is that when they started leaving? Is true religion all about what makes the world go around or is it about personal relationship? Do I have a personal relationship with Jesus?

Follow-up to First Meditation - John 6

For those not familiar with praying on a passage of scripture I have on this blog a guide. On the Special Series Page you will find a series of Posts that will guide your approach to Praying on a Passage of Scripture. * * * LINK * * *

First Meditation - John 6

In the Year B of the liturgical cycle of readings for the Mass, beginning with the 17th Sunday and continuing for five Sundays, the liturgy takes the gospel text from John’s gospel chapter six. For John, Chapter 6 marks a very significant point in Jesus’ ministry. It is at this point that many of Jesus followers quit - abandon their discipleship, and no longer follow him. While no doubt we are very familiar with John Chapter 6, I believe its significance is greatly magnified by these times we are now experiencing. In verse 66, Jesus asks a question that is as raw today as it was then. “Do you also wish to go away?” For these five Sundays focusing on John Chapter 6 I will lay out a meditation guide for each Sunday’s text. With verse 66 as our key text we will look into the text chooses for each Sunday's gospel, exploring how the many became the few and what lessons we can hear speaking to our time. Consider: Verse 2 tells us: "A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick." Here Jesus' miracles are called "signs" - telling us that they are not to be ends in themselves rather pointing to something even greater. As today's science has ever greater explanation for nature's phenomena, does this affect the way you think of God's providence in your life? Does God really answer prayer? Consider: Today's atheist relies a great deal on the argument - If God is good and loving why is there so much suffering in the world? How often do you find yourself asking the same question and what answer do you have? Consider: As the people in this text witnessed Jesus' disciples hands full of bread to satisfy their hunger - their faith, trust, and confidence in Jesus soars. Today the hands of some serving in the name of Jesus have bourn scandal. How are images of such as these affecting your faith today? Consider: We celebrate Jesus as Christ the King. Why did Jesus break off from those who wanted to make him their King? Does their notion of kingship conflict with Jesus' kingship? Should religion stay clear of politics as Jesus avoided their wish to make him their king?

Sixteenth Sunday - 2021

In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, Israel was descending into a time of crisis, their leadership has failed, their institutions are collapsing, people are scattering far and wide. But all is not lost – there is a plan, and the prophet has been sent with God’s word to announce this plan – God will not allow his people to be destroyed. We are witnessing today the Christian faith facing a time of trial, with plenty of blame to go around. So is there a prophet like Jeremiah for this age, and a prophesy announcing a divine plan to save and heal our wounded and broken faith? Just as it was then so it is for us now, the same Prophet with the same plan - the Lord Jesus who makes things right and true - only Wisdom and Truth can fix brokenness.  We have a lot of things that need fixing, as individuals, as families, as groups, as churches, as political entities. And the fixing starts when people realize that the first thing that needs fixing is our relationship with him who was sent with God’s plan for us, Jesus. The people we see along the shore pictured in today’s gospel must now become us; the seekers of this generation. Look for a moment at the beautiful imagery we see in today’s gospel passage and how it is to represents us. o   The sea that is the deep waters of our failings. o   The boat which is called evangelization, the instrument able to navigate the waves of our confusion. o   Its mast forming the shape of a glorious cross. o   Its sail full blown, driven by the mighty wind of the Holy Spirit. o  And Jesus coming ashore, not in judgement but full of compassion for us gathering, waiting, searching, so badly in need. o  Now see Jesus himself as he begins to teach us with words of wisdom; what is at the heart of our brokenness, what things we must learn from him personally, if we are to be restored and healed of our brokenness. The enemy of God's plan knows well where to attack. So naturally it is this same place where healing must begin. Then Jesus said to them, “ This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Mtt. 26:31

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Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things people need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ. Ephesians 4:29-32