Spark Riverside

Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you that do not believe." John 6:60-64

Many people find challenge in accepting some of Jesus’s claims. He knew people would betray him, or overlook him. Still, he spoke his claims out of love for all, while also based on his Father’s teaching. It kind of reminds me of our world now, and how people quarrel over how to be safe, or how to succeed in the struggle.

While i’m not trying to go into those types of topics here by no means, I pray for people every day. To at least meditate for a bit. To ponder what claims you have trouble believing or accepting. Some find it easier by trusting him. That’s one thing it took for him to provide so many miracles, healing and signs, right? Our world today could sure use more of that. Try to refrain from fear and resentment as you research what you feel to be right. To find what actions can help others right now as well as yourself. Be prudent, and God bless!!!

In today’s gospel, the Jews show confusion in how Jesus could be of heaven when they know he has earthly parents. Sometimes we as humans can’t quite understand everything of God, therefore this is where the mystery of faith comes in. Jesus puts it simply, “whoever believes has eternal life.” He goes on to explain how He will choose to be with us which is through the bread of life. The concept of bread served a simple purpose but the concept of the bread of life is eternally fulfilling, not temporary. Fellow young adults, it is simple, in order to continue to be spiritually fed and advance towards our eternal life, we must partake of the Eucharist regularly. This is so crucial to our Catholic lives and should be taken seriously. The closer we are to the Eucharist the closer our actions and spirit are with God.

Reading II 2 Cor 12:7-10
Brothers and sisters:
That I, Paul, might not become too elated,
because of the abundance of the revelations,
a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,
to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. 
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness.” 
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. 
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.
——
How many of us have encountered struggles, and instead of wanting to face them, have ignored them or seen them as punishment from God? In today’s reading, Paul reminds us that these struggles are not in vain, as God is with us. In our struggles, it may seem as God is nowhere near us, but He invites us to call to Him, for His Grace is with us and with Him we can survive anything.