I recently tried a new route going to a skatepark we go to every weekend. My GPS had been suggesting it for some time, but I was hesitant to follow it because I was used to my usual way. It turned out to be quicker, and it’s now my preferred path. I should’ve listened to my GPS a long time ago.

Sometimes, God’s commandments seem too difficult to obey, but they are actually meant to make life easier. When we choose to forgive and let go of a hurt, we experience peace. When we put our carnal desires in check, we avoid a lot of regret. When we tell the truth, even when it’s difficult, we sleep well at night. When we take care of our bodies by exercising and eating right, we live longer and happier lives.

To be clear, following God does not mean the end of hardship. It does mean that, despite all that is beyond our control, we can still experience fullness of life—if we make good choices.

But like all things, we’ll never know until we give it a go. 

George Tolentino Gabriel (georgetgabriel@gmail.com)

reflect

Has God been whispering something in your heart? Is there something you know you should be doing, but you’re avoiding? It’s never too late to try.

Lord, You have the words of everlasting life. Give me the grace to obey them. 

St. John of Avila, pray for us.

The miracles worked by Jesus and His Apostles drew attention to the Gospel being proclaimed, not the person performing the miracles. Similarly, when we use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we need to ensure that the glory that comes with the gifts is always directed to God. We endanger our own humility and the effectiveness of our proclamation when we claim glory for ourselves.

³¹ The Church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers. ³² As Peter was passing through every region, he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed. ³⁴ Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.” He got up at once. ³⁵ And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. ³⁶ Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated means Dorcas). She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving. ³⁷ Now during those days she fell sick and died, so after washing her, they laid her out in a room upstairs. ³⁸ Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” ³⁹ So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs where all the widows came to him weeping and showing him the tunics and cloaks that Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to her body and said, “Tabitha, rise up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. ⁴¹ He gave her his hand and raised her up, and when he had called the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord.  

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R: How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? 

¹² How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? ¹³ The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. (R) ¹⁴ My vows to the Lord I will pay in the presence of all his people. ¹⁵ Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. (R) ¹⁶ O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds. ¹⁷ To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. (R) 

Gospel | John 6:60-69

Let us reflect on this question: Why did so many of Jesus’ disciples leave him? It seems that it was a difficult task to follow Jesus, but we learn that committing ourselves to a new cause or message is not going to be easy. Perhaps, they were looking for the slightest excuse to leave. If we want to follow Jesus, we need the grace of the Holy Spirit to be faithful to this desire and call.

Gospel Acclamation

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

⁶⁰ Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” ⁶¹ Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? ⁶² What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? ⁶³ 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. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. ⁶⁵ And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” ⁶⁶ As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. ⁶⁷ Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” ⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read JOSHUA 5 - 8 today.

There is a saying in Latin: “Facti estis quod vos manducatis,” which means, “You become what you eat.” This means that our food intake determines our condition. For example, when we eat fatty foods, we may have high blood pressure. We become diabetic when we consume an overload of sugar. We are healthy when we eat nutritious food.

Our Gospel today is a hinge that connects the conclusion of the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6 and tomorrow’s feast, the Good Shepherd Sunday.

In the Bread of Life Discourse, Jesus explained to the people how He could nourish them by giving His Word and Flesh as food for eternal life. In the end, though some of those who followed Him turned their backs because the “saying is hard,” a few decided to stay because they were convinced that Jesus was the Holy One of God. Jesus has and gives eternal life.

Tomorrow’s feast is Good Shepherd Sunday. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus not only feeds His flock but also gives them eternal life. Through these provisions, those who partake of Jesus become sharers of Himself. Those who eat the Bread that came down from heaven and are taken care of by the Good Shepherd become sharers of His never-ending life. Thus, this reminds us that we must always be ready to receive Him and, in the end, be received in heaven. We become what we eat. 

Fr. Eugene Fadul

reflection question

How does receiving the Eucharist change your day-to-day life? 

Jesus, thank You for allowing me to receive You in the Eucharist. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________________