Word to the Wise
Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 3rd Week of Easter - Sat
[Acts 9:31-42 and John 6:60-69]"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."
This is a tough moment in the gospel. We are told that even some disciples found the teaching about the eucharist too hard to accept. They "returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him." That's when Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked his big question. Simon Peter answered for all of them (including, presumably, Judas!). Did he answer for us, too?
I have told the story here before about the young woman whom I instructed in the faith. When we finished the instructions and she was ready for admittance to the church, I asked her what had been the hardest part about the Catholic faith for her to accept. She replied right way, "The Eucharist. If you accept that, you can accept anything else." I think she really put her finger on the center of Catholic faith and Jesus' presence to us. Can we say what Simon Peter said? AMEN