Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin

They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?"

Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father."

They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father." Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father -- God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which if you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."

- John 8:33-47

In the recent several readings, Jesus has been preaching at the temple in Jerusalem. It is the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus has preached that He is the light of the world, that He comes from the Father and the truth He preaches sets free. See He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness and If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. At this time, there is great controversy over Jesus, and we are also told (in yesterday's reading) that many have also believed. The temple authorities, though, are already seeking to be rid of Him.

They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" In yesterday's reading, Jesus stated (to those who believed in Him): "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Here, the leadership quizzes Him. What freedom is He talking about?

Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father." My study bible notes (covering the central portion of today's passage): "Who are the true children of Abraham? Jesus makes it clear that one lives either by God's way or the devil's way (vv. 37-59). There is no middle ground (vv. 42-44)." When Jesus preached about Himself as the bread that came from heaven, He taught that "whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." He has preached clearly a message of relationship and bonding: He abides in us and we abide in Him. This leads to everlasting life, in the sense that He does not lose any of us - we are with Him, and He seeks to keep us with Him. Jesus has taught that this life is of the Father - that the Father gathers those to Jesus that are His, and He will keep them with Him, even to everlasting life. He has also preached that had they known the Father, they would know Him - and vice versa. Therefore their father is elsewhere. It is a question of what is most deeply loved and cherished in the heart of a person. The freedom Jesus preaches is a spiritual freedom.

They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father." Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father -- God." My study bible notes here: "St. John Chrysostom writes: '[Jesus] wished to detach them from this racial pride and to deflate their excessive conceit, and to persuade them no longer to place their hope of salvation in Abraham, or in nobility of race according to nature, but in that according to free will. For, this was the thing that prevented them from coming to Christ; namely, they thought their descent from Abraham sufficed for their salvation.'" Jesus points to Abraham as one whose faith gave him recognition of what was of God. For this reason, He says, they are not faithful sons of Abraham - they do not do as Abraham did; they don't have his kind of faith. Their father is, again, elsewhere. They seem to understand Jesus' words and what He is implying when they reply that their one Father is God. I think it's important to understand that Jesus is speaking about a living faith; that is, something that is alive to the workings of Spirit in the here and now, in one's presence. This comes from the heart and its love of the Father and the willingness to hear Him "in the secret place." There are all kinds of things in which we take pride which blind us to such a relationship.

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me." An interesting note here in my study bible, about the wording in Greek and its conferring of notions of relationship: "Proceeded here, referring to Christ, translates the Greek exerchomai, whereas "proceeds" in 15:26, referring to the Holy Spirit, translates the Greek ekporeuomai. Christ's eternal relationship to the Father is one of Sonship rather than procession." Once again, Jesus teaches about relationship. The love of the Father in the heart leads to the love of Christ and His words - because His words are true to the Father who sent Him. In yesterday's reading, Jesus preached that "He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."

"Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word." My study bible notes here: "They are not able to listen to His word because they are not willing to learn from Him. Spiritual truth can be genuinely heard only if there is willingness to know God and to do His will." This is the gist of repentance, that we be able to reconsider; that we be open to a better truth, a greater truth, something that will cause us to "change our mind." (As we wrote yesterday, the Greek word translated as "repentance," metanoia, means literally "change of mind.") In any therapeutic program, change is necessary. Therapy is impossible without this basic willingness to listen to what is better. A person stays stuck in their own blindness otherwise - they are not free. This is the spiritual freedom of which Jesus has been preaching. Programs for dealing with personal change, such as those based on the "Twelve Steps" refer to reliance upon a "Higher Power." In that sense, this is what Christ is preaching. Because they do not truly have the love of the Father in their hearts, they are unable to listen to Jesus..

"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which if you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." Clearly here Jesus refers to the adversary of God, the devil. This is the father of lies. To murder the truth is to be a murderer - it is to seek to blot out that which is real, the living Person of God, from the midst of what we see as our reality. Evil, then, speaks lies from its own resources, of itself, because in God there is only truth. So, Jesus asks, which of them convicts Him of sin? Why then do they not believe Him? It is a question of relationship, what we love, what we choose. Jesus has put this in other words elsewhere in the Gospels. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

The greatest emphasis in John's Gospel is on spiritual truth - on the heart of what is truth. How do we know truth? How does it make us free, and break the bonds of spiritual slavery? This is what we come to understand. And it is deeply linked to judgment, as Jesus speaks here of the devil, the father of lies, the murderer. What is it to murder? What is it to do away with an inconvenient truth? To seek to blot it out and remove it from our midst? This is really the gist of darkness and blindness, and all that it leads to, including murder. When we cannot change our perspective, because it means letting in an inconvenient truth, then we cannot practice repentance. We cannot expand to hold that much. We live in denial, or darkness - or worse, we may seek to rid ourselves of the messenger of our spiritual blindness. This is a very real problem with which we live in our world every day, every moment. Jesus is still calling us to embrace spiritual truth, to find the love in our hearts of the Father that will lead to our greater "enlightenment." Can we know the truth that makes us free? Do we want that freedom? We consider murder, and its impact, and its roots as referred to here by Jesus. Let us embrace the light, and learn the love He preaches here, in proper relationship or righteousness.

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed

Then Jesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come." So the Jews said, "Will He kill Himself, because He says, 'Where I go you cannot come'?" And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." Then they said to Him, "Who are You?" And Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him." They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

- John 8:21-32

Jesus has been preaching in the temple at Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles. The crowds are divided over Him - is He a deceiver or a holy man? Is He the one they have been waiting for? The leadership wishes to be rid of Him, and sent the temple police to arrest Him, but they could not do so. Here, Jesus continues his preaching in today's reading. For the beginning of this discourse, see the previous reading, He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness.

Then Jesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come." My study bible notes that going away refers to Jesus' death and Resurrection. Throughout these teachings at the temple, Jesus' remarkable quality of outspokenness is prominently on display. What He preaches, He must know the crowds do not understand - and yet He continues to proclaim Himself. He is aware that those who will believe in Him will eventually come to know the things He's referring to here, and share more deeply in that faith.

So the Jews said, "Will He kill Himself, because He says, 'Where I go you cannot come'?" And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." Then they said to Him, "Who are You?" We remember that "the Jews" usually refers to the temple leadership in John's Gospel. Jesus has been referring consistently to the relationship between Himself and the Father: had they known Him, they would also know the Father -- and that faith or understanding of Jesus is given by the Father. So, to "die in their sins" is to fail to have this recognition, to be left in their present condition of blindness and ignorance. To be "of this world" in this sentence is to be unaware of spiritual reality, all that added dimension that brings us "life in abundance." My study bible notes, "St. John Chrysostom writes: 'Oh, what stupidity! After so long a time and miracles, and teaching, they asked 'Who art thou?'"

And Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him." They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. He has been teaching and preaching about Himself now through many of the readings in John's Gospel. We have observed His repeated outspokenness, and His willingness to express His identity openly to all. Yet they ask again, "Who are You?" To respond, Jesus refers to what He has already taught, but His main response is to go once again to the Father: "He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him." This is where Jesus' judgment will come from. The Father is true, Jesus is true - but this truth is not what they want to hear, to see, to understand.

Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. My study bible says that "lift up has the double meaning of being nailed to the Cross and of being exalted by the Father upon the completion of His work." Again, Jesus' emphasis - in responding to the question "Who are You?" - goes back to the Father. He calls Himself the Son of Man, a messianic title they understand from Scripture. But Jesus' emphasis is on the First Person, the Father, the Source of all. Jesus says he can do nothing of Himself, but speaks only as the Father taught. And there is more: the Father has sent Him and is with Him. "The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." Extraordinary and powerful words - and yet in our faith we believe that Christ is also with us. The force of these words, as unbelievable as they are to the leadership, must be very powerful indeed, for, we are told, as He spoke these words, many believed in Him. It's a powerful culmination to His preaching. His authority and power are with Him.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." Here, He is addressing His followers, those "many" who "believed in Him." My study bible notes: "Jesus expects all who follow Him to be disciples (learners). Abiding in His word is not something reserved for an elite class of zealots."

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." My study bible notes, "Being free refers specifically to freedom from bondage to sin (v. 34), granted by the Redeemer through His death and Resurrection." He is also referring back to those who do not believe, whom He said would "die in their sin."

There is so much here about truth, and what is true. Jesus says that He is true to the Father, that He always pleases the Father and so the Father is with Him. He teaches those who believe in Him to abide in His word - to be true to Him and to His word. And those who cannot see, who do not know the Father nor Him are the spiritually blind - those who cannot see what is true, the truth standing before them, nor hear the truth in His words. Jesus has begun this speech with the words "I am the light of the world." To see this light and to abide in this light, and the light of His word, is to be free of spiritual blindness, darkness, ignorance. It is to be enlightened. As Jesus is true to the Father, so He asks us to be true to Him, to abide in Him and His word as He does to the Father. It is a relationship of truth and light that flows through all of us, links all of us to Trinity. This is what He teaches. Are we free enough to do this? What do we do with this freedom? How do we continue to walk in this freedom? It is important to note, I think, what my study bible says here: "Jesus expects all who follow Him to be disciples (learners). Abiding in His word is not something reserved for an elite class of zealots." We are to continue learning, there is always room to grow. This is the process of repentance (Gk. metanoia, literally "change of mind"). We are not free to declare ourselves liberated and have done with it, a kind of "elite class of zealots." On the contrary, we are here to emulate His humility to the Father. We continue to learn and grow, and this marks us as His disciples. Where does that freedom take you today? What does it ask you to see now?

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You bear witness of Yourself. Your witness is not true." Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me." Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also." These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

- John 8:12-20

In yesterday's reading, we understood Jesus to be at the Feast of Tabernacles. The crowds dispute over Him - some believe he is a holy man, some a deceiver. The temple leadership is already scheming for a way to get rid of Him. When the temple guards, sent to arrest Jesus, heard Him preach, they could not do so. See No one ever spoke like this Man! Today's reading continues at the Feast, but a little further on in the gospel from the place where yesterday's left off. The section the lectionary skips is that of the restoration of the adulterous woman, which can be read here.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." My study bible notes, "I am the light of the world: During the Feast of Tabernacles, torches were lit in the temple court, and singing and dancing continued each night. In this context Jesus is the One who gives the light of life. In the New Testament God is light (1 John 1:5); the followers of Jesus are the light (Matt. 5:14); and believers shine as lights in the world (Phil. 2:15). In these and other references in John, God is the source of this uncreated, life-giving light (see 1:4-10; 3:19; 12:35,36)." In this use of the symbolism of light, Jesus expresses Himself as a kind of beacon; when we walk in that light, we have the light of life itself. He supplies us with the light not only of eternal life, but which adds life, strength, help, growth, support, love and every sense of life to our lives.

The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You bear witness of Yourself. Your witness is not true." Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me." My study bible notes here: "In the face of resistance and disbelief Jesus continues to proclaim His relationship with the Father. The Pharisees either were unable to understand Jesus' words or were simply astonished that Jesus was claiming God as His own Father." An astonishing claim indeed! And one which will lead to the charges of blasphemy with which He will be eventually condemned. It is truly remarkable, this picture we are given of Jesus, and His outspoken proclamations of His identity. He doesn't hide a thing, but speaks boldly and repeatedly about His relationship to the Father. Let us examine what he says: "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going." He speaks of his own authority, which is true - because He knows Himself, but they know nothing of Him. "You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me." They are seeking to judge and condemn Him - but it is Jesus' judgment that is true, because it comes from the Father who gives true righteousness. "It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me." His two witnesses are Himself and the Father. These are Jesus' two authoritative sources for His declarations of Himself. Extraordinary indeed! Jesus never shrinks here from declarations bound to provoke, outrage, baffle, and lead to accusations of demon-possession or insanity - and ultimately, blasphemy. And yet, the picture of this man is also humble, compassionate and that of a leader who leads by love, and whose command is love..

Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also." My study bible notes: "Because the Son and the Father share the same nature, one cannot be known apart from the other. St. John Chrysostom writes: 'Indeed, if He were not of the same nature as the Father, He would not have spoken as He did.' " Jesus alignment of "knowing" Himself and the Father makes a clear equivalence here. He is saying that they do not know Him, so they also cannot know the Father. His presence is a stand-in, so to speak, for the Father's - so that we know both.

These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come. Clearly, Jesus' speech here is so far beyond any concept of what others would have to teach that it is important that we understand that no one could arrest Him. Even though His words are clearly extraordinary, at which the leadership will take strong offense, He is not yet arrested - and this is remarkable indeed. So we understand the boldness of Jesus, that he fails or falters at nothing when it comes to teaching His bold and fearless declarations of Himself and what He is doing here in the world. He doesn't shrink, He doesn't quit. He goes on to stronger declarations and more powerful speeches about His identity, and His Sonship with the Father. Anyone else making such statements would indeed seem insane, unwell, outrageous, blasphemous. But somehow this Man is not. We know the rest of the story. We understand the depth of His words. We are with Peter, who has confessed when other disciples departed, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." The words we have are still the light of the world, the light of life. As in the reading in John's Gospel when Peter made his confession, Jesus' words are "hard sayings." That is, they are extraordinary. They require faith. They are hard to believe; they go against what we understand from our worldly perceptions. And yet, and yet... "to whom shall we go?" For us, they remain the words of eternal life, that give light to our lives and add to them life in abundance - and all that can mean.

No one ever spoke like this Man!

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, "Truly this is the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?" So there was a division among the people because of Him. Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why have you not brought Him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man!" Then the Pharisees answered them, "Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed." Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee."

- John 7:37-52

Jesus has secretly gone to the Feast of Tabernacles at the temple in Jerusalem. (That is, not openly, as He will in the Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem and His Passion.) There, the crowds are stirred with opinions about Him. Who is He? A holy man? Is he a deceiver? He speaks before them. See the readings of the past two days: My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready, and Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. My study bible notes here: "The last day, that great day of the feast is probably the seventh or eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Ceremonies include a procession from the pool of Siloam, carrying water and pouring it as a libation at the temple. This commemorates the water flowing from the rock which Moses struck in the wilderness (Ex. 17:1-7), and provides the context for the Lord's words, if anyone thirsts. Living water (v. 3) is the gift of the Spirit (v. 39) and the new life which springs forth by the power of the Spirit. Christ gives the Holy Spirit, and the believer's heart consequently flows with new life. Christ does not force us, but is always available if we desire Him."

Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, "Truly this is the Prophet." My study bible says, "The Prophet: Many Jews of those days were looking not only for the Messiah (or Christ) but also for a prophet who would be a new Moses, one who would lead Israel out of bondage (Deut. 18:15-19). Reference is often made during the Holy (Passion) Week services to the "Great Moses," especially on Holy Saturday." We understand the turmoil in the crowds: expectations, political intrigue, and the desire for a liberator all compete with Jesus' spiritual message.

Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?" So there was a division among the people because of Him. Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him. A note reads: "We know that Jesus did come from the line of David and was born in Bethlehem, as had been prophesied. But the people think He is from Nazareth in Galilee. Far more significantly, throughout his Gospel John uses occasions like this to bring out the truth concerning Jesus' eternal origin from the Father (see 7:28; 8:14, 23). No arrest could be made before Jesus' 'hour' had come (v. 44)." Again, we see the conflicts in the crowd, the concerns of the people and the political machinations involved. What are their expectations? What do they seek? Are our concerns so different today when we seek guidance or someone to lead us out of problems we face?

Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why have you not brought Him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man!" Then the Pharisees answered them, "Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed." My study bible notes: "The enemies of Jesus increasingly scheme to destroy Him. The officers of the temple were sent out to Him in the middle of the Feast (v. 32), and it is now the last day. They came back saying, No man ever spoke like this Man! (v. 46). St. John Chrysostom writes, 'The Pharisees and the Scribes . . . who even witnessed miracles and read Scriptures, derived no benefit from all this. . . . The attendants [the officers], on the other hand, though they could lay claim to none of this, were captivated by a single sermon. . . . For when the mind is open to conviction there is no need of long speeches. Truth is like that' (Homily 52)." I like the understanding of St. John Chrysostom - this message reaches us when our minds are open to it. I also take note that the leadership is scathing in its deprecation of the crowds. It is often our own confidence in what we believe we know that prevents us from learning something new. Their own authority, of course, is supremely important to them.

Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee." A note here reads, "Nicodemus (v. 50) has spoken with Jesus (3:1-21), and may well be on his way to becoming a follower (19:39). Others also believed in Christ, but were afraid of repercussions (12:42). Nicodemus's defense of Jesus (v. 51) is based upon legal grounds: they should first listen to Jesus' words before He is arrested. (See Ex. 23:1, forbidding false reporting; Deut. 1:16, requiring that both sides of the case be heard; see also Josephus Antiquities 14:167.) The Pharisees fail to uphold the law, making a sarcastic response to Nicodemus (v. 52). But their statement condemns them and shows their blindness to Scriptures: the prophet Jonah came from Gath Hepher, a town in Galilee only 3 miles from Nazareth (2 Kin. 14:25)."

We read of the divisions among the people, and between the people and the leadership. Nicodemus speaks out for the proper fulfillment of the law - the just judgment according to the procedures set forth in the law. The Pharisees make a sarcastic remark to Nicodemus: "Are you also from Galilee?" implying prejudice, and also a disparaging rejection of those who are from what was considered Gentile territory. We see ourselves in this crowd: the opinions that indicate people are torn in one direction and another, that reflect their concerns and expectations in life and the state of material affairs, the oppression of Israel by a foreign power, and the temple authorities trying desperately to hold onto their power (in which they have an uneasy cooperation with Roman authorities). Have political situations or our natures ever changed? An interesting twist is here in the name of Nicodemus. A Greek name, it means, literally "victory of the people" or "victory of the assembly." It has reflections in the word "liturgy" which means the "work of the people." Who represents and speaks for the people here, in their interest? Think about the laws of justice and who they are meant to protect. What is being listened to here? Who understands or interprets Jesus' spiritual message? Who can hear it? Let us take note, when we think our own solutions can only come in certain forms. In the turmoil and trauma of the world, can we hear this message? Do our own credentials get in the way? We may need to listen in a whole new way to find what is necessary. We may be missing the good part.

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41,42

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment

Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?" Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

"Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?" The people answered and said, "You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?" Jesus answered and said to them, "I did one work, and you all marvel. Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

Now some of them from Jerusalem said, "Is this not He whom they seek to kill? But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from." Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, "You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me." Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. And many of the people believed in Him, and said, "When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?"

The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. Then Jesus said to them, "I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come." Then the Jews said among themselves, "Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What is this thing that He said, 'You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come'?"

- John 7:14-36

In yesterday's reading, we learned that Jesus' brothers have challenged Him to go and to show Himself at the temple in Jerusalem. It is the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus declined to go openly, but has gone in secret to the festival, where He is the subject of debate - and there are those who would like to be rid of Him.

Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?" Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him." My study bible notes here: " Jesus identifies the source of spiritual blindness: unwillingness to do the will of God. St. John Chrysostom paraphrases the words of Christ: 'Rid yourselves of wickedness: the anger, and the envy, and the hatred which have arisen in your hearts--entirely without provocation--against Me, and you will have no difficulty in realizing that My words are actually those of God. For, as it is, these passions darken your understanding and distort the sound judgment that shines there, while, if you remove these passions, you will no longer be thus afflicted' (Homily 49)." In other readings, Jesus' lack of formal schooling means one thing of great importance, and that is that His authority is not bestowed by other people. Jesus is claiming that the authority with which He speaks comes from the Father, and His relationship to the Father. Here, Jesus refines this understanding a little more deeply, when He says that He is not seeking His own personal glory, but rather to glorify the Father. This makes Jesus true - not just "true" in the sense that what He is teaching is correct, but "true" in the sense that He is an honest and trustworthy person. He has no guile, but rather is a just man, with no unrighteousness in Him. He has one aim, and is true to that aim without seeking anything for Himself but the joy of this fulfillment.

"Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?" The people answered and said, "You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?" Jesus answered and said to them, "I did one work, and you all marvel. Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." My study bible notes that "Jesus implies that healing the paralytic on the Sabbath is a greater obedience to the will of God than circumcising on the Sabbath." Jesus is referring here to the healing of the paralytic which took place near the temple at the Bethesda pool. (See Do you want to be made well?) On that occasion, Jesus' third sign in John's Gospel, he told the paralytic to take up his bed on the Sabbath. The authorities consider themselves the guardians of the law; the anger with which they respond to this act is in defense of rabbinical regulations. But Jesus is asking for something deeper here, and it is related to the previous statement about how they judge Him and His teachings. He is asking them to judge with "righteous judgment" - that is with just judgment. In this case, righteousness is linked with the pure desire to seek God's will, and not one's own glory. "Appearance" and the "praise that comes from men" are linked in Christ's teachings; His greatest criticism is of "hypocrites" - which is literally translated as "actors."

Now some of them from Jerusalem said, "Is this not He whom they seek to kill? But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from." My study bible calls this "an ignorant claim filled with irony: they know Jesus' human origin, but not His divine origin."

Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, "You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me." Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. And many of the people believed in Him, and said, "When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?" A note on verse 30 reads: "His hour is the time of His suffering and death. Jesus Christ shows Himself to be Lord of time, a prerogative possessed by God alone. he comes to the Cross of His own free will and in His time, not as a result of the political machinations of the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Romans." A pivotal point in Jesus' narrative occurs here. We see the crux of faith: who will believe, and why and how do they believe? He asserts His identity, that He is of the Father, Who is also true, and this becomes a stumbling block, a point of outrage - as well as a source of faith for those who will believe.

The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. Then Jesus said to them, "I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come." A note here reads, "Jesus speaks of His death, Resurrection, and Ascension. His hearers, as is so often the case, do not understand Him." Once again, Jesus is speaking of His origin, where He is from. He will return to the Father. They have Him with them a little while longer - it is not yet His time.

Then the Jews said among themselves, "Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What is this thing that He said, 'You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come'?" My study bible says that "among the Greeks means among the Gentiles. In those days, there were communities of Jews scattered throughout the Mediterranean world, especially in Syria, Asia Minor, Greece and Egypt. Their question bears a tinge of irony. By the time this Gospel was written, the Christian faith had spread throughout much of the Gentile world." And, we note that Jesus has also introduced a new Mystery to this crowd at the temple: that of His death, Resurrection and Ascension. It is hard enough for this crowd to take in the statements about His identity which prove a great stumbling block; they cannot fathom at all what He is referring to here.

Some things of interest here in John's Gospel; we see events unfolding very quickly. It is already time for the authorities to take objection to Jesus, to seek to do away with Him. And yet the Gospel is just unfolding; we are in chapter 7 of 21. Already Jesus has made Himself known to the crowds in His full identity and is hinting of death, Resurrection, Ascension. The emphasis here is on those great keys of Mystery to the faith, and how we respond to them. We will see and learn much more as the Gospel continues with its message. There is an emphasis on depth, and understanding, and the heart. What is the inner life of a person? What makes someone true? How does identity and our choices, our judgments, reflect our relationship to Creator? How do we perceive others based upon this state of our inner soul or self? There are so many questions to answer, and John invites us to ponder every one of them as we explore the life of Jesus - and the nature of faith - in his eyes, through this witness.

My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." For even His brothers did not believe in Him. Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come." When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, "Where is He?" And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good"' others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives the people." However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

- John 7:1-13

In the readings over the past week or so, we have read of Jesus' feeding of the multitudes on the mountain (his fourth miracle or sign in John's Gospel), and the crowds wishing to make Jesus king as a result. After that, Jesus engaged in the discourse on the Bread of Life. In yesterday's reading, we read of many disciples falling away because of this teaching, that "whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." In yesterday's reading, we also heard Peter's confession, that for the twelve there is nowhere else to go for the "words of eternal life." But Jesus indicated that He knew one of His own chosen twelve would betray Him. See This is a hard saying; who can understand it?

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. My study bible notes here (in a note that pertains to the next sections of the Gospel): "This section (chs. 7-9) tells of Jesus' visit to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles (v.2). At this festival, during the last year of His earthly life; Jesus taught in the temple and attracted a great deal of public attention. Some thought Him mad, others believed Him to be the Messiah, and still others (Sadducees and Pharisees who were members of the Sanhedrin) considered Him a threat to the religious and political status quo (ch. 7). The Jews, that is the Jewish leaders, sought to kill Him (see 5:16)." It's important to remember that "the Jews" refers to the leadership of the temple. I also think that we see Jesus going where it is necessary for Him to go; He is not yet ready for the hour of His Passion. We should reflect on this in life: where it is important to be for us at which time, when confrontation is not essential nor appropriate, and when and why it is at other times.

Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. My study bible notes, "The Feast of Tabernacles (Heb. succoth) is an eight day autumn harvest festival commemorating the wanderings of ancient Israel in the wilderness of Sinai, a time when the chosen people lived in tents (or "tabernacles"). Along with Passover and Pentecost, Tabernacles was one of the three most important festivals of the ancient Jews." We will see how this feast (as have others, such as the Feast of Unleavened Bread at Passover) has reflections and significance in the actions of Jesus here that we will read of.

His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." For even His brothers did not believe in Him. My study bible notes, "His brothers are members of His wider family clan who themselves do not believe in Him (v. 5). The Eastern Fathers understood 'brothers' as stepbrothers, sons of Joseph by a previous wife; while the Western Fathers understood them to be first or second cousins. Never are they called sons of Mary." Regarding this note, I understand that in the Middle East today, cousins are called "brother." But what is important to me is not whether or not these are blood brothers. We understand already that Jesus has testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country (from John 4). In the recent readings, His neighbors who know Him have been grumbling about His proclamations as to His identity ("the bread from heaven") and union with the Father. Now, we are to understand that those closest to Him, his "brothers," do not believe either. In fact, they are challenging Him.

Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come." When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. Well, this is quite interesting, to my mind. First of all, Jesus is calling His brothers, "of the world." In this sense, we understand that Jesus is here for judgment, and yesterday's reading, with its dark undertones of betrayal and death, started to make that clear for us. The world will respond to Christ with murder, with crucifixion, with rejection. But His time has not yet come, it is not His hour. But we will see what His plans are now.

But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. My study bible notes, "Not openly means not publicly, as in the case of the Triumphal Entry (12:12-16)." There are times when it is proper for Him to appear openly, and times when His work is properly done in secret. Jesus will use the best option that is available to Him, in the right time.

Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, "Where is He?" And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good"' others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives the people." However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews. We understand that it is the time of betrayal that is on the way. We understand that it is the time in which the leadership is seeking to rid themselves of Him. But Jesus is there in secret, in a time of turmoil and decision among the crowds. He has some who support Him, and others who claim He is just a deceiver. And He walks there amongst them. But all the common people are afraid of the leadership, so they, too, do not speak openly.

I find so much darkness, and intrigue, in John's Gospel - especially in the last two readings. While Jesus has just announced the great good news that He is the bread that came down from heaven, that gives even eternal life, the decisions have begun for rejection and falling away. And, in yesterday's reading, Jesus announced that even one of His own twelve whom He chose Himself will betray Him. What does this mean for us, but that we are to understand the world that we live in? At the festival now, Jesus walks in secret among the crowds, who debate about Him, also in secret, for fear of the leadership. This Gospel is one of Mystery, of the secrets of judgment, and the reality of the world and our choices in it. What do we accept? What do we reject? And on what stone does the judgment itself rest? Here, we are led a little further into this depth of complexity, contrast and Mystery. Where will you stand on this choice?

This is a hard saying; who can understand it?

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend You? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to Him by My Father."

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

- John 6:60-71

Jesus has been teaching about the Eucharist - teaching about Himself as the bread that came down from heaven. In yesterday's reading, He said, "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." See He who eats My flesh, and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. This dialogue began after those whom He fed on the mountain sought to make Him king, and has continued over the past several readings. Today, it continues, as His disciples respond to these teachings.

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend You?" My study bible notes, "Even His disciples took Christ's teaching on His Body and Blood as a hard saying (v. 60), and many of them departed from Him (v. 66). The Lord Jesus is aware of the thoughts of men." How strange these sayings must seem! We remember that Jesus has taught in parables, and that "parable" can also mean "riddle." While this is not a "riddle" it is a teaching of Mystery. Jesus has taught us about our depth of relatedness: He abides in us and we abide in Him, because we eat of His flesh and drink His blood. He is life itself; he is the bread from heaven. We live in Him and with Him even to eternal or everlasting life. These are the hard teachings, the "hard sayings" to which the disciples are referring.

"What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." Jesus questions His listeners. They cannot accept His "hard saying" - a strange teaching, on Himself as the bread that came from heaven. But what if they were to see Him ascend? Would they then believe and understand? The Spirit gives life - and His bread is spiritual food. The words He speaks are spirit and they are life - also our spiritual food. This bread is so much more than we can grasp; it is a Mystery that multiples just as the bread did in the wilderness, on the mountain.

"But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to Him by My Father." Jesus again displays for us His knowledge of the people who are following Him; He perceives what is within them, what they are thinking amongst themselves. I think it's important that we understand the freedom implied here; free will is absolute and inviolable. "Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him." That's quite a remarkable statement. It implies that He walked with these followers, despite the foreknowledge of what was to happen. He accepted fully that He would be rejected and betrayed by those whom He loved. Jesus accepts this with the understanding that "no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to Him by My Father."

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. My study bible says that "to reject Jesus' teaching on the sacramental eating of His Body and drinking of His blood is to walk with Him no more." Personally I cannot speak of sacraments with any authority, but I can understand this statement as teaching us that the "hard sayings" are those that work to separate us or confirm our faith. Jesus accepts the loss of followers. Can we accept loss with equanimity? He does not make His message easier; rather He accepts what is given to Him, and He teaches His truth for those who will be able to accept it.

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." My study bible notes, "This confession of faith is a pivotal moment in the life of Peter and the disciples on behalf of whom He spoke." The twelve stay with Him. Peter's confession comes at this point in John's Gospel, that it is Jesus who has the words of eternal life, and that He is the Christ. Elsewhere Jesus responds that this faith and understanding in Peter could only have been revealed by the Father, but in John's Gospel we are given an additional understanding, as follows.

Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve." Jesus' affirmation is not merely to understand the faith as expressed in Peter's confession, but also that He will be betrayed by one of His own. This is quite an exceptional twist in this story, this emphasis on betrayal even by one whom Jesus has Himself chosen - a betrayal, we understand, by someone who lacks this faith, this bond, a rock "against which the gates of Hades shall not prevail."

In John's Gospel, we are given an understanding of betrayal and of faith, the twist that teaches us the reality of our condition in the world. This is not a stunning success on Jesus' part, but a man who has denied the people's wish that He be made king. This is a man who tells the truth, despite the fact that He knows it will alienate His followers - that it is a "hard saying" for which many will fall away from Him. And it is a man who knows, despite the confession of Peter, that even one of the twelve whom He Himself has chosen will betray Him. It is a picture of our world in its darkness and its light, with nothing taken away or covered up to make it more palatable or acceptable. Jesus will be betrayed. He is not received by all. He wants those who can take all that He offers. He accepts the reality of that rejection. This Gospel does not flinch at the reality of our world in its complexity and pain. Can we accept it? Can we take the "hard saying" as well as the "hard understanding?" How do we take betrayal - and can we stand for the spiritual truth we find here as well? Jesus has said that He will give His flesh for the life of the world. Can we follow Him to that end? He has taught that he will be "lifted up" as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus does not flinch from the realities of a world in which betrayal and murder are also a part of our lives, but goes forward "for the life of the world." He is here because of love, for love of us and for the world - despite betrayal, despite rejection, despite faithlessness. Can we accept the "hard sayings?" He stays with us through it all. Do we stay with Him?

He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven -- not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.

- John 6:52-59

In Saturday's reading, Jesus made this statement: "If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." Today, Jesus continues from this statement, and answers the question of His baffled listeners.

I'll begin by repeating a note from the last reading, which applies to the whole passage: "The eucharistic significance of this passage is indisputable. Jesus' declaration that He is Himself the living bread which brings us life is intended to reveal the eucharistic feast. His offering is not for His people only but for the life of the world."

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." My study bible notes here: "Christ's body was crucified and His blood shed on the Cross. We receive the benefits of Christ's sacrifice by coming to Him in faith (v. 35), and by communion with Him: we eat His flesh and drink His blood. These words refer directly to the Eucharist, the mystery of Christ our life. His words are clear: To receive everlasting life, we must partake of His eucharistic flesh and blood. St. John Chrysostom (Homily 47:2) teaches we must not understand the sacrament carnally, that is, according to the laws of physical nature, but spiritually (v. 63), perceiving a true but mystical presence of Christ in the Eucharist." What strikes me about this verse (Jesus' reply to His questioners) is that He is stating an absolute need in us. For life, we need this blood and flesh that He offers. It is something that gives to us a necessary ingredient for life and all that may mean. Jesus has spoken of eternal life, a life which we live with Him - but this life may also give us more: ourselves in an authentic sense of selfhood, meanings and values, relationships, love, and much more.

"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed." My study bible notes: "St. Hilary of Poitiers writes, 'What we say concerning the reality of Christ's nature within us would be foolish and impious were we not taught by His very words. . . . There is no room left for doubt about the reality of His flesh and blood, because we have both the witness of His words and our own faith. Thus, when we eat and drink these elements we are in Christ and Christ is in us' (On the Trinity, Book VIII, 14). This reality, however, is a profound mystery of faith and grace. Orthodox theology teaches that in the Eucharist we partake not simply of the physical/material, but of the deified and glorified Body and Blood of Christ which gives resurrection life."

"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me." Speaking for myself, I find these words to be crucial to my understanding of my faith. Jesus invites us into a much deeper communion, a relationship, than we can imagine. We are not only in relationship the way that you and I would think of relationship, but we live in one another. Christ abides in us and we abide in Him. How much more profound can relationship become? It cannot become more profound. Moreover, Jesus compares this relationship to that which He has with the Father. He Himself is eternal because of the Father - we too will live because of Christ. This is a continuation of His teaching on eternal life: that He will not lose a single one given Him by the Father. He loves us and wants us eternally with Him in this communion, this profound depth of relationship.

"This is the bread which came down from heaven -- not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. Jesus has been explaining what the "bread which came down from heaven" truly is. (See Saturday's reading for the beginning of this dialogue.) The bread which came down from heaven is that which gives us life - creates this depth of communion in us, so that we may be truly with Him, as He has said, we abide in Him and He abides in us.

How does this depth of relationship work in your life? How have you experienced it? Do you call upon this inner voice in the "secret place" for guidance in your life? Do you pray for what you need, and the answers to help you with choices? I know many, many people who have gone through hard times in life, very difficult choices, who came to rely on such prayer for help with the answers. Jesus has promised us this depth, and it grows through nurturing in so many ways we can think of to practice religious and spiritual life. But the key, for me, is experience of this. Call on this help, keep your mind open to receive it (this is the start of repentance) - and change what needs to be changed that gets in the way. I find that thinking we already have all the answers is a great obstacle to this teaching. But think about this communion, and what it can mean - and turn and listen and share in that life of spiritual experience with Him.

The bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world

The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, 'I have come down from heaven'?" Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."

- John 6:41-51

In yesterday's reading, Jesus spoke of Himself as the bread of life. (See All that the Father gives Me will come to Me.) Jesus elaborated on what this means, and how those who come to Him are given by the Father, and will be raised with Christ. Today, Jesus answers His critics.

The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, 'I have come down from heaven'?" We have heard this criticism in the synoptic Gospels. It comes from those who have known Jesus and His family. It is related to envy. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus says in response to this criticism: "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." John has earlier told us (in chapter 4) that "Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country." We have to remember that these people are aware of the signs he has done. The discourses in the readings of the past few days come after feeding the five thousand on the mountain.

Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves." This can be translated as "Stop grumbling." He intervenes to tell them not to complain - and to assert what He has to tell them about Himself.

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.'" Once again, Jesus affirms what he has been teaching (see yesterday's reading). All who come to Him are first drawn to Jesus by the Father. Then Christ Himself will keep all with Him, losing none - and raising them up at the last day. The quotation is from Isaiah 54:13. It is an affirmation that the Father Himself is at work within us, in our hearts and minds, and leading us in faith to that which we need in life.

"Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father." Jesus clarifies the relationship. He says that those who are drawn by the Father - "everyone who has heard and learned from the Father" - come to Him. How does this happen in us? From where does this hearing and teaching come in our lives? This is, to me, an affirmation of the power of prayer, among other things. Jesus clarifies that this is not a relationship of equals, we cannot communicate with God in God's full reality - only the One who has come from the Father can do that. But nevertheless, the implication is clear: we may all be taught by God. We all have the capacity for this communion even with the Father Himself. The Father reaches and works within us to teach us, perhaps in the "secret place."

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life." Jesus has explained in yesterday's reading that He will not lose anyone who has been given to Him by the Father. He wishes to keep us with Him - even unto an eternal life in this embrace and this love. It is all about relationship, a relationship and bond of love.

"I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." Jesus Himself is the bread of life. Those who ate the miraculous manna in the wilderness with Moses do not still live; Christ is life itself. He is the bread that has come from heaven. My study bible notes here (and on the verses which will follow in this Monday's reading): "The eucharistic significance of this passage is indisputable. Jesus' declaration that He is Himself the living bread which brings us life is intended to reveal the eucharistic feast. His offering is not for His people only but for the life of the world."

Jesus' flesh that He will give is not only the Eucharist in which we partake, but also his death on the Cross. How much do we have to remember the drawing power of that Cross - the flesh that he gives for the life of the world? What does it mean to give something for the life of the world? It is not just so that we may live with Him in eternity, but also so that the Cross figures as something which is always upheld. Earlier in John's Gospel, Jesus has alluded to the Cross as something similar to Moses' lifting of the serpent in the wilderness. This was when He was speaking to Nicodemus about being "born again" through baptism. This "life of the world" is so important, and the note in my study bible is important. Jesus is not here for one people or another, but for the whole world and the life that is in the world. He will transform the way we see ourselves in the world, He will add an unmistakable reality - and spiritual anointing - to the whole world, for the life of the whole world. He will change the substance of life even in the world. Jesus as a figure is an inspiration to all peoples, even those who are not nominally Christian. He has given Himself to everyone, for everyone. All are free to join this feast, this banquet. That is a permanent promise. He has transformed the way we see ourselves, the way we see evil in the world. And he has changed the way we understand the power of Love.

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me

"Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." Therefore they said to Him, "What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will you do? Our Fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Then Jesus said, Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Then they said to Him, "Lord give us this bread always."

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

- John 6:27-40

In yesterday's reading (The food which endures to everlasting life), Jesus walked on the water as His disciples rowed against the wind in the darkness. When those who had sought Him (and who wished to make Him king) caught up to Him, Jesus preached to them about seeking the food that leads to everlasting life, rather than seeking to make Him king because he fed them with loaves of bread on the mountain. Today, Jesus continues this teaching to the crowds.

"Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." I'll repeat the note from my study bible included in yesterday's reading on this verse: "The multitude had continued to pursue Jesus in the hope that He might miraculously solve all of their earthly problems as He had miraculously provided them with food. He tries to turn their minds to spiritual concerns, telling them not to labor for perishable food but for the food of eternal life, which is available in the Son of Man. He does not chide them for seeking and working, but for pursuing temporary satisfaction rather than eternal fulfillment." We understand the term "Son of Man" to be one which these people would understand from Scripture; it is the title of an apocalyptic messianic figure from the Book of Daniel.

Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." My study bible notes here, "The most fundamental work of God is true faith in Christ!" It's interesting that Jesus is talking about "labor" and "work." This crowd is thrilled with the man who has fed them on the mountain. Jesus teaches them about "working" for a food that will give them not temporary nourishment, but rather "everlasting life." It all starts with this basic core of faith; this is the work we should not neglect in life. It is the "one thing necessary."

Therefore they said to Him, "What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will you do? Our Fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Then Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Then they said to Him, "Lord give us this bread always." Jesus has just fed the multitude bread on the mountaintop, and for this reason they sought to make him king. But, as He said in yesterday's reading, they fail to see the signs. That is, they fail to understand the heavenly spiritual reality behind the sign or miracle of the feeding. Now they are asking for "bread from heaven." Jesus teaches them that the true bread is not that manna, but that which comes from the Father. That bread is Christ Himself who has been sent to the world.

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." The "I am" here is the same I AM as the title told to Moses in the Book of Exodus. In these statements, Jesus reveals Himself linked with the Father. The life this bread offers is everlasting; it is life itself.

"But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out." He disparages them for their lack of faith. However, again linking Himself with the Father, Jesus claims that all those who do see Him and believe are sent to Him - given to Him - by the Father. And those are precious to Him; they are His flock which He loves dearly and wishes to keep with Him always.

"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." My study bible notes: "Since the Son is of one essence with the Father, He shares the one will of God the Father. In His Incarnation, of course, the Son of God gains a human nature and a human will as well. Thus, the Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) teaches that, in the Person of Christ, there are united a complete divine nature and a complete human nature. Similarly, the Third Council of Constantinople (A.D. 680-681) proclaims there are two natural wills in Christ, not contrary to one another, although 'His human will follows, not as resisting or reluctant but rather as subject to His Divinity and omnipotent will.'"

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." My study bible notes on these verses, that, "Since the Son and the Father are united in essence and will, those who are chosen by the Father will also believe in Jesus and receive eternal life." I think it's important to understand that Christ points powerfully to His own reality: that He has been sent to do the will of the One who sent Him. Those with faith are those whom the Father has sent to Christ, and Jesus' own imperative is that He should lose nothing of what the Father has given to Him. The Gospels are highly consistent on this point. We read in Matthew's Gospel of Peter's confession of faith (see Who do you say that I am?). Jesus replied to Peter, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." Therefore the Father is also at work in us, prompting the faith Jesus declares here that will lead to everlasting life, because He does not wish to lose even one of us. The faith that links us is that which leads to eternal life, because it is the link of love between us. It is the bond of love that is the "key to the kingdom" - and hence, the key is in Peter's confession. Because this bond means He wishes to keep us with Him, this is an eternal promise.

John's Gospel repeatedly teaches us about love, about a bond that is unbreakable. In the reading in Matthew of Peter's confession, Jesus calls this bond of faith the rock against which even the gates of Hades will not prevail. It is a bond in which Jesus seeks to keep us with Him forever, to eternal life. So, our faith is the key, and it links us not only to Christ but to the Father Himself. Jesus says, and the Gospels teach us, that this faith in Christ's identity is of the Father, a revelation of the Father. To ponder this Mystery is far beyond me to fully understand. But I see it as a hand that gathers us like chicks into the flock that is Christ's. It is something too far and deep into Mystery for me to comprehend; it is awesome to consider. And it sparks many, many questions too vast for me to try to answer.

The food which endures to everlasting life

Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone -- however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks -- when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

- John 6:16-27

In yesterday's reading, we read of the feeding of five thousand on the mountain, the fourth sign or miracle (of seven) in John's Gospel. See Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat? Today, Jesus continues his teachings to those who were fed, and we read of the fifth sign in John's Gospel.

Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. My study bible notes that, "This, the fifth of Christ's miracles reported by John, reenacts ancient Israel's passage through the Red Sea. Moses led the old Israel through the sea to liberty. Christ walks on top of the water and leads His disciples over the sea to the land where they were going (v. 21). Christ's walking on the sea (v. 19) is a sign of His lordship over creation." In other Gospel versions, this is a powerfully frightening scene: it is very early morning, in great darkness, and the wind proves difficult for the apostles - they strain to row the boat, and they are without Jesus. In the darkest part of early morning hours, alone at sea and fighting to row against the wind, they see Him walking on the water. Perhaps it is a spirit, a ghost - and then He seems to want to walk past them. It's a very affecting scene. I think it's telling that it comes so soon after the feeding of the five thousand, and connected to Jesus' refusal to be made king. Jesus is not in the world to care for our every day needs and make all difficulties immediately disappear. He is in the world to make a connection with us in faith; He is there when we call on Him to help us through the difficulties and especially our fears - and be with us, just as He will endure and take on the difficulties of the world with us. Immediately they are on the land where they were going - with God we are on solid ground. Of course, this is the sign or miracle of God's full presence, as my study bible notes: His power over nature, over creation. But when we confront our fears and anxieties, it is this power with us that can feel as if we are immediately restored to the solid ground we seek - and we can face our situation armed with this strength.

On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone -- however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks -- when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. In some sense, we view Jesus' walking on the water as a way to avoid this crowd, so that they could not pursue Him. It's not the first, nor is it the last time that Jesus will evade those who seek Him for one false reason or another.

And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." My study bible notes, "The multitude had continued to pursue Jesus in the hope that He might miraculously solve all of their earthly problems as He had miraculously provided them with food. He tries to turn their minds to spiritual concerns, telling them not to labor for perishable food but for the food of eternal life, which is available in the Son of Man. He does not chide them for seeking and working, but for pursuing temporary satisfaction rather than eternal fulfillment."

I think it's important that Jesus says to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." We note the importance of seeing the signs - that is, the miracle that points to the presence of God the Father at work, the spiritual reality in the works. The signs point to that reality behind the worldly reality those who witness the miracles see on worldly terms. They want the food Jesus has given them on material terms, not the keys to the heavenly kingdom present in the signs; they don't understand the miraculous feeding as a sign pointing to something greater. "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." We return to the life in Christ that is promised, and again to the relationship to the Father. The seal of the Father is His Name, just as one would have understood the seal of the emperor to mean that anything the seal was set upon was in the name of the emperor. They are to see the signs of the bread as pointing to the Father at work in all that is in His Name; this name is the seal set upon Christ.

For what do you give thanks in your life? Do we understand the help we receive and whence it comes? Can we live in communion with that love that is received from Christ and the Father, through the Spirit at work in our lives? Most importantly, when we pray, do we understand all the powerful reality we are calling upon and with which we are in communion? I think that, speaking for myself, I often don't quite understand at all what Majesty is present, connected to me through prayer. "The still small voice" in our hearts, in the secret place, feels so intimate and tender. But the truth is that grace connects us with the great power behind all of creation; the Majesty even of the Father is with us even in those most intimate moments of prayer. On human terms, this is impossible to understand. But the great majesty of God does not exist on our terms; even the Trinity is with each one of us in our most intimate times of prayer. And this is how we know love, that we are loved. Jesus will teach that it is all in all - as we are connected to Him so we are connected to the Father and the Spirit, and to one another. Let that love fulfill your understanding of prayer, and let it be with you in times of fear. It is the root of courage and strength, the opening to a different life than the limitations produced by the fears we learn in our lives. It opens the door to the possibilities inherent in all situations, that we may not see from the fears by which we sometimes may find ourselves overwhelmed. It is faith in that love that leads us ahead to the life He has in mind for us. Our Evangelist will write: "Love has been perfected among us in this, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." When we come to know God as love, it is our fear of punishment or torment that dissolves. But for this, we first need to find that communion to know that relationship of Love. Jesus told Philip, "Follow me." And this is how we follow, learning love from this relationship. It is the quality of the heavenly kingdom, the key to the everlasting life.