A Message from Fr. Jay
Dear Friends,
We all know that all the creatures act or react to their instincts. Only humans have the capacity to control, regulate, gather knowledge and make decisions. Decision-making is not an easy process. In the first reading, Joshua – and Simon Peter in the gospel – make decisions to follow the Lord, not as single persons as ‘I,’ but collectively as ‘we’ for the sake of others as well. They prove that they are worthy leaders who know the group very well and make collective decisions, and that too particularly in a situation of crisis. Their decisions are made, not with their brains alone, but with their souls as well, and proved proving themselves as soulmates to God and Jesus.
For Over the last 4 weeks, we have heard about starting with the miracle of multiplication of bread, then Jesus trying to make his followers understand the Holy Eucharist soon to be instituted before his passion and death. Jesus gained a few enmities for his talks on his flesh and blood and, having some of his followers left already leave, he now poses a direct question to his disciples asking if they too want to leave. A critical situation of frustration. Here Peter does not give an answer with a rational analysis but with an emotional and unconditional love and support of Jesus with proclamation proclaiming him as the Holy one of God. Those words of Peter, ‘Master, to whom shall we go?’ became the starting point of the creation of the church. The ‘emotional and unconditional bond of accepting in the name of Jesus’ among the members is important by in that it promotes ‘we’ feelings. The second reading reflects the message of how Christ and the Church live in love.
Sometimes, when we reflect about our love for the church in general, we may find it increasingly becoming increasingly more rational and critical, rather than simply caring with unconditional love…the ‘I’ feelings overtaking the ‘we’ feelings. But our parish has been blessed with so much of the ‘we’ feelings and has been successful in promoting the participation of everyone who likes to entertain a graceful relationship with God through personal, liturgical and spiritual events and services.
With the view of increasing our bond with our Lord in mind, let us ask ourselves, what is my relationship with my church? Do I make the right decisions with the help of my soul talking to me? Do I keep Jesus as the center of my life?
God Bless,
Fr. Jay Raju
- Reading 1: Joshua 24: 1-20, 15-17, 18b
- Reading 11: Ephesians 5: 21-32
- Gospel: John 6: 60-69
