Fr. Richard Ver Bust

An invitation to the goodness of God

August 27, Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our exploration and reflection on the sixth chapter of John's Gospel ends today. We have heard of the quarreling among some of the audience. Today we hear that even some of Jesus' disciples have a hard time accepting this message of Jesus.

We know from the Gospels that Judas betrayed Jesus. We hear that Peter denied Jesus. Yet even before those final days some of his disciples turned away from him. Jesus had always tried to elicit faith from those who heard him. He preached that the kingdom of God was coming into existence and that he was the one proclaiming this news.

John's Gospel, unlike the Synoptic Gospels, starts with the truth that Jesus is God and has become a human being. The Synoptic writers, on the other hand, began with a very human Jesus, and then tried to show how, only gradually, did his followers come to believe that he was also God.

These followers of Jesus who murmured were shocked and scandalized at the fact that Jesus claimed to be the Son of Man who had come down from heaven. They could not believe that he expected them to accept the message that they must be united to him by eating his flesh and drinking his blood.

Jesus did not back down. Jesus continued to challenge them. He now told them that not only had he descended from heaven but would one day ascend to that same heaven. This, of course, implies that he is a heavenly being.

This further challenge was one that put these disciples on the spot. We can imagine behind these words is the author of the Gospel challenging the members of his own church.

Jesus continues to defend this teaching. He contrasts the battle between those possessed by the Spirit and those who are earthbound and tied to the flesh. He insists that only the Spirit could give true life. Jesus knew that the followers had seen the wonders and healings, which were signs of the kingdom.

He also knew that they did not truly understand these signs nor did they really believe in him. Jesus, therefore, insists that only those who have been truly called by God can come to faith. Faith is never easy. It tests us. Therefore, some accepted him and others did not.

John then quietly tells us that some, really many, of his followers left him and returned to their old life. We now hear Jesus directly question the twelve. They are the specific individuals we hear, in the Gospels, called by name. Jesus does not tell them to stay or leave. He simply asks whether they want to leave too.

Peter spoke for the twelve and makes three important statements. The first is simple and says that there is no one else for them to go to, which implies that Jesus is special. He then, in the second statement, accepts what Jesus has just taught. He confessed that Jesus alone has words that give true life. Finally he states clearly that they have come to believe in him and are convinced that he truly is the Holy One of God. This is a real messianic title and they accept that Jesus is the Messiah.

John has concluded this chapter with the fact that not all believed in Jesus and his message. Those that did believe accepted him and, therefore, the God who has sent him.

The first reading from the Book of Joshua also is about making a choice. Joshua challenges people who have not experienced the events of the Exodus or traveled with God in the desert to accept God too. This is the invitation of our refrain in the Responsorial Psalm. We are invited to know God in the goodness that God gives the people who believe.

(Fr. Ver Bust is professor emeritus in religious studies at St. Norbert College, De Pere.)