Dear Parishioners and Friends,
In the late 1970’s I bought the debut recording of music by the priest-composer Fr. Michael Joncas, titled “On Eagles’ Wings.” The title song became, as we all know, one of the most popular Catholic hymns ever written. However, that same recording contained several other songs that I came to love, including the one entitled “Lord, To Whom Shall We Go?” The song’s refrain comes from this weekend’s Gospel: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Whereas the Synoptic Gospels contain the story of Jesus asking the disciples who they say he is, with Peter’s response, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” John’s Gospel uses the lengthy “Bread of Life” discourse, which we have been hearing for the past several Sundays, as Peter’s profession of faith: “You are the Holy One of God.”
Isn’t it ironic how Peter, whose profession of faith in all four Gospels places him at the head of the Apostolic band, is also the one who later denies even knowing Jesus? These contradictory statements, so bold in their declaration, remind us of how utterly human Peter was. In today’s conclusion of chapter six of the Gospel of John, we can imagine Peter, mostly likely confused and bewildered by Jesus talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, watches as the crowd disappears right before their eyes.
But Peter, at least for now, can’t walk away. “Master, to whom shall we go?” He has no choice but to cling to the One who had called him and loved him unconditionally. No one else, perhaps, had ever placed as much hope and confidence in him as Jesus did. Peter and the others still had no idea where all of this would lead, but they just knew in their heart of hearts that they needed to stay and continue to walk wherever he would lead them. Just so, you and I must continue our journey with the Holy One of God wherever he may lead us; but trusting that he will never leave our side, nor withold his love from us.
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor