Daily Gospel Reflection for April 21, 2018

Today's Gospel: John 6:60-69 “But Jesus, being aware that His disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you?'” John 6:61 Time doesn’t change many things. Words have become the bane of society. Truth spoken offends. (I believe in God.) Actions upholding the truth offend. (Pray outside of an abortion clinic.) Society demands we worship no God. Let us offend no one. Society demands that we kill our God and suspend the natural law. Life is self-centered. You cannot offend a God that does not exist. You can only offend people, and that must end. That is the only sin. Death? We only live now, even if there is a heaven, I’m a good person. I don’t offend anyone. I say nothing. I do nothing. I’m a good person. I’ll go to heaven. When Jesus revealed that He was the Bread of Life, He challenged His disciples. They had to make a choice. Their world had just been vigorously shaken. Many left Him because they could not accept the gift of the Eucharist, a gift that had to be accepted on faith alone; and they went back to their old ways. Jesus asked those who remained to make a decision. “So Jesus asked the twelve. ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.'" John 6: 67-68. Jesus challenges us, in our broken world where wrong is right, and right is wrong. We must make a choice: God or the world? The way to heaven is not easy, and the world will be offended by what we do say. Peace in the world of no offense, or the way of the cross. We have a challenge and we have a choice.

Ponder:

We have a choice to make. Will you walk to the Lord with your family or away from the Lord?

Pray:

Lord, I know it won’t be easy, but give me the strength and courage to follow You. When I am worn out from the beatings and want to quit, help me to keep my eyes on You.