Faith seeks Understanding: Jos 24:1-2a,15-17,18b; Ep 5:21-32; Jn 6:60-69 (B 21)

 

Faith seeks Understanding

Jos 24:1-2a,15-17,18b; Ep 5:21-32; Jn 6:60-69 (B 21)

The cross of the Lord is become the tree of life for us 

Jesus claimed to be the bread of heaven, the very life of God given to us as spiritual food to sustain us on our journey to the Father in heaven. We must either accept his word as divine or reject it as the claim of an imposter. Even the apostles admitted that this was a “hard saying”. This expression meant that it was not just hard to understand, but hard to accept. Jesus pressed the issue with his beloved disciples because he wanted to test their faith and loyalty to him as the Holy One sent from the Father. Jesus promised his disciples nothing less than the full blessing of eternal life and union with God. Jesus assures his disciples that it is his heavenly Father who gives the invitation and the grace to believe and follow even in the “hard sayings”.

Jesus told his disciples that his words were “spirit and life” (Jn 6:63) and his words came from the heavenly Father who is the author of life and the One who breathes his Spirit into those who believe in him. Through the gift of faith Peter was able to receive spiritual revelation of who Jesus truly is. He is to redeem a fallen human race and reconcile them with God.

How does God help us grow in faith and trust in his word, even the hard sayings which are difficult to understand? Faith is a gift which God freely gives to those who listen to his word and who put their trust in him. Faith is a personal response to God’s revelation of himself. Faith is neither blind nor ignorant. It is based on the truth and reliability of God’s word. True faith seeks understanding. Saint Augustine of Hippo said, “I believe in order to understand, and I understand the better to believe.” The Lord Jesus offers all his followers his life-giving word and Spirit to help us grow in our knowledge and understanding of God.

Paul the Apostle tells us that it is the work of the Holy Spirit who enlightens the eyes of our heart and mind to understand the truth and wisdom which comes from God (Ep 1:17-18). Faith is the key to understanding and experiencing God’s action and work in our personal lives. Paul the Apostle tells us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us” (Rom 5:5). We can know God personally, and we grow in recognizing his voice as we listen to his word and obey his instruction. Do we believe, as Peter did, that Jesus has the words of everlasting life and the power to change and transform your life? Ask the Lord Jesus to increase your faith that you may grow in knowing, loving, and serving him as our Lord and redeemer, teacher and healer.

 

“You, Lord, are my salvation and my glory: you lift up my head”