How open are you to the call of God in your life? - Daily Reflections May 16,2014

TO WHOM ELSE CAN WE TURN?

 

Earlier on in John’s Gospel, Jesus turned to the disciples and asked them if they wanted to leave Him, too, as many were deciding to give up their life of discipleship simply because it was too hard.

       In today’s Gospel we hear the expanded reason why Peter tells Jesus that they do not want to leave. In chapter six, he reasons out that they have no one else to turn to and follow. Here we find this expressed in more positive ways in terms of Jesus being the Way, the Truth and the Life. What does this mean to us?

       There is no simple answer that fits every person. We must discover for ourselves how Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life for each of us. We cannot allow our faith to rest on the shoulders of others alone. We must personalize it for our own needs. Each of us is unique in the eyes of both God and the world. We have our talents and we have our needs, distinct from each other. Jesus can meet these needs and develop our talents only if we are willing to work with Him and the Holy Spirit in this task.

       As we meditate upon this truth today and ask ourselves what we can do to develop our life of faith, we can be sure that Jesus will provide for anything that is lacking. There is never any reason to despair as a disciple of Jesus because we have a God who is in control of providence. He is the Master of the Universe and so nothing is impossible for Him. Jesus invites us to share in His perfect experience of the Father’s love and providence. I think we are mad if we do not readily accept this invitation with our whole hearts.

       Unfortunately, there are those who think they know better than God, or that they do not need Him, or can find another excuse to ignore His call. Let us be sure that we are not that person. Let us be sure that we are always ready to open our hearts and minds to the grace and blessings of God. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How open are you to the call of God in your life?

 

Holy Spirit, help me to open my heart to Jesus today and to open it unreservedly because He is my Lord and Master — the all-loving, all-powerful and all-generous living God.