When Peter Nails it!

Proper16B, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Moses Lake, WA by Sr. Annette Fricke, OP If you are now confused and think that we read this before, be confused no longer. We did read the first few verses of this last Sunday. Today is the last of the “Jesus is the Bread of Life” gospel readings. Next Sunday, we switch back to Mark just in time for the school year that some schools have already begun like WSU. Othello School district begins August 30th, then has a break for Labor Day weekend, coming back to school again on September 3. I don’t know who the brain or brains were on this idea. There are some things I just don’t control. Just as most of us have no control over the lectionary texts or when school starts or stops, this gospel text is a prime example of those thought to be Jesus’ disciples simply walk away or betray. Most people will have questions about just what this all means and like most preachers, I was not there, so some of the questions will remain. We weren’t there, we don’t have the full context, and nowhere is it more than a guess as to what it all means. Maybe it just means that Jesus wants us to think about it. This is why this church does not have literalism as a measure of the meaning of the scriptures. We’re expected to use our brains. We don’t know everything. What we do know about the context is that Jesus is with a group of disciples, not just the twelve and he is in Capernaum. It is not a crowd nor is it the Jews or the Samaritans or any other larger grouping. Even with this smaller group are many negative reactions. They are grumbling, not believing, turning back, mentioning betrayal. If we were to look at any of the gatherings of people in our past, we were likely seeing the same reactions to the leadership of groups outside the church. We can dismiss those reactions and say, “Well, we are only human.” Or, more importantly, we can focus on the faithful. Why do we still have the faithful in Christian communities, even in small places? Why do some refuse to walk away or angrily walk away when the Christian community they are with disappoints them? What is it about Jesus that keeps them coming back to once again support that belief in Jesus and take that with them into their lives outside of the church? Why are some faithful no matter what obstacles to faith are present? Why do some go away and come back years later? But perhaps the most important question of all asked is in our gospel text itself: “This teaching is difficult. Who can accept it?” Another suggested translation from the Greek is, “This is a hard word. Who is able to hear?” Who is willing to commit to the teachings of Jesus and walk in his ways? Who is willing to immerse oneself in Jesus when all around you are several other versions of Christianity, Judaism, agnosticism, and atheism? Does that discount our beliefs or make us wonder why we are here? I propose that we all need to regularly ask ourselves the same question that truly can be the overall theme of this section of John’s gospel. “Lord, to whom shall we go?” How else can be the answer than to commit to Jesus? Verses 66-68 summarize what it is to commit to Jesus. 1) putting Jesus first, 2) continuing to walk with Jesus, 3) willing not to leave, 4) recognizing Jesus as the only source, and 5) recognizing that Jesus is the only source— (who else?) of eternal life. John reminds us that the whole book of John is about knowledge or knowing as well as relationship. It is one thing to intellectually know many things about Jesus and acknowledge Jesus as the Lord who brings eternal life and still another to live into that knowledge. Commitment means that we take what we know about Jesus and apply it to our lives in such a way that we internalize in our thoughts and behavior the same as Jesus’ life here on earth was an example of what we ought to strive towards. It is to keep our gaze on Jesus as the compass and the place where we attempt to stay on course, in each situation allowing Jesus/God to work through us showing to others how God loves us and continues to love us despite the obstacles in front of us. Jesus teaches us to both confront and treat each other with respect. Our church teaches us to distinguish between scripture and reason, a needed element in the modern world. Be open to others’ thoughts and ideas, but also listen to other sides of the story and be slow to judge. Proclaim the gospel of peace. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Alleluia. ---Brian Stoffregen, Gospel Notes—John 6:56-69, August 14, 2024