Homily for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter

Today's Gospel passage centers around the conversations that followed Jesus' statement that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood will attain eternal life. This statement proved too challenging for some of His followers, so they decided to leave Him. In doing so, they resembled the seed that falls on the path, on rocky ground, or among thorns. Their faith was weak, and they lost interest in Jesus' message.

After this incident, Jesus asked the Twelve if they would also leave Him. In response, Peter made a powerful declaration 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 strong faith, there would be no reason to abandon Jesus, despite the challenges, distractions, and difficulties that accompany being His follower. In Christ, we find 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.