For the next few weekends, we will be focusing on the all-important sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel. This is the chapter that contains the “Bread of Life Discourse” wherein Christ affirms again and again that the bread with which He will feed us - unlike the manna in the desert - really will satisfy our hunger eternally. He shockingly claims that His “flesh is true food” and His “blood is true drink”. 

Our Lord gives His Apostles advice that applies also to all of us: “Come away to a deserted place and rest for a while.” It has always been necessary for Christians to find time for silent meditation, both daily and on longer annual retreats. The argument could be made that it is more necessary in our day in age than it has ever been, due to the constant noise and chaos with which we are surrounded, and the frenetic pace at which most people live on a day to day basis.

In St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, from which we hear in the Second Reading today, he uses the phrases “chosen before the foundation of the world” and “he destined us”. Does God know what we are going to choose before we choose it? Are we really free? Do we believe in destiny? 

Well-intentioned people will often tell you “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” However, the Scripture verse that they are presumably referencing actually states “God won’t let you be tempted beyond your abilities” (1 Cor 10:13). What’s the difference?

God made everything, right? Actually, today’s First Reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us explicitly “God did not make death.” This is an important truth to keep in mind since so many people react to the death of a loved one with the question “Why did God decide to take them now? Why did they have to die? How is this God’s plan?”