21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Jos 24:1-2, 15-17,18
Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23
Eph 5:21-32
Jn 6:60-69

Very few times in life do we get to make a definitive choice for our faith. At a celebration of Confirmation I once heard the bishop ask those being confirmed to answer a definite "Easter yes" to the renewal of their baptismal vows. The loud, rousing response shook the church and vibrated those who heard it! A definite moment of public choice.

Today we conclude our five-week look at the sixth chapter of John, where Jesus is portrayed as the "Bread of Life." In today’s liturgy Jesus’ followers are offered a choice to accept or reject that definition.

Our first reading is also a scene of choice. Joshua gathers the tribes of Israel at the shrine of Shechem. He asks the people: Whom will they serve? Remembering all that God has done for them, the people choose to serve the Lord.

In the Gospel, Jesus confronts his disciples with a choice. Some cannot accept him as "the living bread, come down from heaven." Peter responds for the Twelve: Jesus has "the words of eternal life" for them. They have come to believe he is "the Holy One of God."

How about us? Can we make a public choice for Jesus as we approach to receive the Body and Blood of Christ? Our firm, faith-filled "Amen" is a response to the Lord who is present in this great sign of our salvation.

I’m Father Greg Friedman with the "Sunday Soundbite" for St. Anthony Messenger Press, on the web at FranciscanRadio.org.

Scripture:

•“…As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15b)

•The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. (Psalm 34:19)

•…and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:31b,32)

•Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68,69)

Reflection:

•Pick a verse or phrase from above or from the day’s readings. Keep the phrase close to your heart for a day. Be quiet and rest in peace with the Word.

•Leave all thoughts and activities behind for five minutes to be open to God’s presence.

It is the Spirit of God that must teach us who Christ is and form Christ in us and transform us into other Christs. After all, transformation into Christ is not just an individual affair: there is only one Christ, not many. He is not divided. And for me to become Christ is to enter into the Life of the Whole Christ, the Mystical Body made up of the Head and the members, Christ and all who are incorporated in Him by the His Spirit.