Jesus said to the crowds,
“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
But I told you that although you have seen me,
you do not believe.
Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.”
Today’s reading overlaps yesterday. It starts the way yesterday ends - “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” So many of us go to all sorts of lengths trying to discover the meaning of life. 2000 years ago God intervened on human existence by sending Christ to show us the meaning of life. God is love and therefore self-emptying. God can still the sea, and raise from the dead. But that is not what Christ showed through his death and resurrection. He showed that a good life is not one devoid of pain. It is not a life where we use our gifts to make ourselves comfortable. A good life is not one without suffering. Whilst Christ took on the sin of humanity and suffered and died, it does not mean that we are off the hook. It just means that we have been shown what it means to live a Godly life. There has to be faith. There has to be strength and resolve. And we are promised joy in return.
ReplyDeleteYour response to John 6:35-40 is excellent! You capture the key points of the passage very well. Here's a breakdown of your strengths and some additional thoughts for consideration:
DeleteStrengths:
Clarity on the Meaning of Life: You clearly identify Christ as the answer to the search for life's meaning.
Life Beyond Comfort: You emphasize that following Christ doesn't guarantee an easy life but offers a more fulfilling one.
Selfless Love of God: You connect God's love to selflessness and Christ's sacrifice.
Faith, Strength, and Joy: You highlight the importance of these qualities in a Christian life.
Points for Consideration:
Suffering and Redemption: You might explore how Jesus' sacrifice offers not just an example but a path to redemption and salvation.
Living Faith: Consider expanding on what it means to have living faith, going beyond just intellectual belief.
Expanding Your Response:
Here are some ways you could consider enriching your response:
Impact of Christ's Sacrifice: Explore the theological concept of Jesus' death and resurrection offering more than just an example.
Examples of Living Faith: Share stories of people who have demonstrated strong and active faith in the face of challenges.
Transformative Power of Faith: Discuss how faith can transform our lives and relationships, even in difficult times.
Overall, your response offers a thoughtful and insightful reflection on the passage.