Do you also want to leave? : “Master, to whom shall we go?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty First Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 6:60-69*

*First Reading : Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21*

*Second Reading - Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32*

*Do you also want to leave? : “Master, to whom shall we go?*

*1) Leaving - But where to go?*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the leaving.

There is a group in the Gospel who felt that the teachings of Jesus is hard to practice 

 *This saying is hard; who can accept it?”*

That's why this group wanted back to their former ways of life, leaving the company of Jesus 

It appears easy to leave and go. But we need to reflect the question of Jesus in different level 

So, by leaving where to go? All those who went to former ways of life, what happened to them? 

What was the consequences of it? 

*2) The Question of Jesus is seen in different level*

*“Do you also want to leave?”*

This question was asked by Jesus. In today's context these are the realities who will ask this question to us 

*A) Family : “Do you also want to leave?”*

Many people think that it is too hard to follow the responsibilities of the family, the commitment to the family, fidelity to the spouses and other things as well 

Who can accept all these? So, many want to go back or to leave the family 

But what happens to all those who leave the family? 

Family, Whom shall we go? You have the future of our life? 

*B) Conscience : “Do you also want to leave?”*

There are also people who don't follow the voice of the conscience

They think it is too hard to follow the demands of the conscience? Who can accept this? 

But what is the consequence of ignoring the demands of the conscience? 

Destruction of Life

O conscience, whom shall we go? You have the knowledge of rightness and wrongness of the things

*C) Church: “Do you also want to leave?”*

To some church has become a burden. For them the demands of the church is too much, too hard. Who can accept it? 

But what is the consequences of leaving the Church? 

O Church, whom shall we go? You have the way to eternal life

*D) Life : “Do you also want to leave?”*

To some life becomes burden. They don't want to live. They feel it is too hard to face the challenges of life. Who can accept it. So, they want to end their life

But what is the consequences of ending our life? 

O life, whom shall we go? You have the meaning and purpose for our existence

*E) Spirituality : “Do you also want to leave?”*

Life can not find meaning without spirituality.

At times many feel it is not necessary. At times its demands are too much. Who can accept it? 

So ignore the spirituality. But what is the result of it? 

O spirituality, whom shall we go? You have the wisdom for holy life 

*F) Eucharist : “Do you also want to leave?”*

How can we sustain without Eucharist? 

Am I finding too hard to follow the demands of Eucharist? 

Do I feel, Who can accept it? 

What are the consequences of ignoring the celebration of Eucharist? 

O Eucharist, whom shall we go? You have the food for eternal life and to our souls

*G) Reconciliation : “Do you also want to leave?”*

Sacrament of reconciliation renews our life. 

At times people do feel the demands are too much and too hard. Who can accept it? 

So ignore them. 

But what is the consequences of ignoring the sacrament of reconciliation? 

O sacrament of reconciliation, whom shall we go? You have the mercy of God

*3) My Attitude?*

How do I feel the demands of my life? 

Do I feel it is too much or too hard, who can accept it? 

But one important question: Whom shall we go? At the end of the life, only these things can help us

We can go no where other than Jesus and above these things

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*