Homily for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter

Today's Gospel passage revolves around the conversations that followed Jesus' statement that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood will attain eternal life. However, this statement was too much for some of His followers, who left. In leaving, they were like the seed that fell on the path, the rocky ground, or among the thorns. Their faith wasn't strong, and they lost interest in Jesus' message.

After this incident, Jesus questioned the Twelve if they would also leave Him. Peter, in response, made a powerful statement of faith, saying, "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."

For someone with such a strong faith, there would be no reason to leave Jesus, despite the challenges, distractions, and difficulties that come with being His followers, for in Christ, we have everything we truly need.

A prayer of St. Julian of Norwich might also be ours. I often begin my day with this prayer, and I have shared it before:

"God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me, and I can ask for nothing which is less which can pay you full worship. And if I ask for anything else, always I am in want; but in you do I have everything."[1]

 

[1] Julian of Norwich, Showings, 1978, Paulist Press, New York, NY, p. 184.