TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 22, 2021

MASS READINGS

A Gospel according to Jn 6:60-69

Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 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. 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. 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.” As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “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.”

REFLECTION

Master, to whom shall we go?

Many times I wonder why I make decisions without asking God's Will or doing critical thinking, why I say unkind words to someone, why I think poorly of someone or their efforts. Have I not committed myself to follow the Lord? Have I not surrendered all to Him? Have I not declared that I love the Lord above all?

Today is a good day to examine the sincerity of my thoughts, my self surrender and my love for God. Joshua asked the Chosen People to choose whom they would serve. St Paul showed us how to serve. Jesus opened up His Kingdom to us and in turn was an example of Love and His words were of eternal life.

So why do I do what I do? What I do defines me. Do I not have a goal or vision in my life that will keep me on the right track? How am I to get to heaven when I still fancy my ways over the ways taught to us by Jesus?

When I go to confession, do I confess that I don't follow the first two commandments or do I just confess my poor actions. For in sinning, I have failed to follow the first two commandments of love and I have basically shown the place God occupies in my heart and the relationship I have with Him.

My main fault is in not loving God enough. If He were to ask me, " Will you also go away?" when I turn away from His love when I sin, will my answer be, "To whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life. I have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”?

We pray for priests. We ask Almighty God the Father to see them through the Face of Christ and to give priests the grace to be good priests. One thing that the priest does is absolve us of our sins in the persona of Christ. He also brings Jesus to us in the Holy Eucharist. Do we believe this is true?

This consecrated bread and wine are really God Himself.

May we have good priests who do not make confession a "business" but rather bring us to not only understand why we sin but to fall in love with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Holy Eucharist.

Please join in praying the PAPA Prayer for priests.

May we choose Jesus as our goal and our mission--to journey with Him with the map of His Words and the guidance of His love.

God bless you.