Many Disciples Desert Jesus (John 6:60-69)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, we gather to reflect on a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus, a moment that challenged not only those who followed Him then but continues to challenge us today. Our Gospel reading comes from John 6:60-69, a passage that speaks to the very heart of our faith and what it means to follow Christ indeed.

Let’s begin by reading this powerful scripture:

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before? The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit and life. Yet some of you do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

Many of his disciples turned back from this time and no longer followed him.

“You do not want to leave, too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

These words, my dear friends, carry immense weight. They speak of a moment of crisis, a turning point in the ministry of Jesus. It’s a passage that invites us to examine our faith, question our commitment, and consider what it truly means to be a follower of Christ.

The Hard Teaching

Let’s start by considering the context of this passage. Jesus had just delivered what we now call the Bread of Life discourse. He had declared Himself the bread that came down from heaven and Spoke about the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. This teaching was radical; it was shocking, and it was simply too much to bear for many.

“This is hard teaching. Who can accept it?” the disciples grumbled. And can we blame them? Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. Imagine you’ve been following this charismatic teacher, witnessing miracles, hearing words of wisdom that stir your soul. And then, suddenly, He starts talking about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. No wonder many found this teaching difficult to swallow, literally and figuratively!

But here’s the thing: Christianity has never been about accessible teachings. Our faith challenges us. It pushes us beyond our comfort zones. It asks us to believe in things the world might consider foolish or impossible. And that’s precisely what was happening here.

When we encounter difficult teachings in our faith, how do we respond? Do we grumble like those disciples? Do we turn away because it’s too hard? Or do we lean in, seeking to understand, trusting that a more profound truth can be found?

You see, my friends, the teachings of Jesus often require us to think beyond the literal, to see with the eyes of faith. When Jesus speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, He’s not advocating cannibalism. He’s pointing to a profound spiritual truth that we celebrate every time we participate in the Eucharist.

This “hard teaching” invites a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ. It’s a call to total commitment, to allow Christ to become part of us most fundamentally. Just as our food becomes part of our body, Christ wants to become integral to who we are.

But let’s be honest: this level of intimacy and commitment can be scary. It means surrendering control. It means trusting completely. And for many of us, that’s a challenge. We like to oversee our lives. We want to understand everything. And here’s Jesus, asking us to trust Him even when His teachings seem impossible to understand fully.

So, what do we do when we encounter these hard teachings? Do we turn away, or do we lean in? Do we trust our limited understanding, or do we open ourselves to the possibility that God’s wisdom might be beyond our immediate comprehension?

When you encounter difficult teachings in your faith journey, I encourage you to approach them with an open heart and an open mind. Don’t be afraid to wrestle with them, question them, or seek understanding. But also, be willing to trust that there might be depths to God’s truth that we can’t immediately fathom.

Remember, faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting the One who does.

The Grumbling Disciples

Now, let’s look at how Jesus responds to the grumbling of His disciples. The Gospel tells us that Jesus was aware of their discontent. He knew they were struggling with His words. And His response is both challenging and deeply compassionate.

“Does this offend you?” He asks. It’s almost as if He’s saying, “Is this too much for you? Are you not ready for this level of commitment?” And then He says something truly profound: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit and life.”

Here, Jesus draws a clear distinction between a purely physical and spiritual understanding. He’s challenging His disciples—and us—to look beyond the surface, to see with spiritual eyes.

When we approach the teachings of our faith purely from a physical or intellectual standpoint, we’ll often find ourselves hitting a wall. Some aspects of our faith cannot be grasped by reason alone. They require spiritual insight, a willingness to trust in something beyond what we can see or touch.

Think about it this way: Have you ever tried to explain love to someone who’s never experienced it? You can describe the biochemical reactions and the psychological effects, but until someone experiences love for themselves, they can never fully understand it. In the same way, there are spiritual truths that can only be fully grasped through faith and experience.

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He says something that might initially seem discouraging: “Yet some of you do not believe.” And the Gospel writer adds, “For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.”

Now, this might sound harsh. It might sound like Jesus is giving up on some of His followers. But I was hoping you could consider another perspective. Jesus, in His divine nature, knows the hearts of all people. He knows who will ultimately choose to believe and who won’t. But this foreknowledge doesn’t mean He stops inviting, stops teaching, stops loving.

Even knowing that some would not believe and that one would betray Him, Jesus continued to teach, love, and offer the chance for faithful discipleship. This, my friends, is the depth of God’s love for us. Even when we struggle to believe and falter in our faith, God continues to invite, teach, and love us.

And then Jesus says something truly profound: “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” This statement points to a profound theological truth: our faith is not solely the result of our efforts. It’s a gift from God.

This doesn’t mean we’re passive recipients with no role to play in our faith journey. Instead, it means that God is always reaching out to us, always inviting us into a deeper relationship. Our role is to be open to that invitation and to cooperate with God’s grace in our lives.

Think about the times when you’ve felt God’s presence most strongly. Chances are, those weren’t moments you engineered or created through your efforts. They were moments of grace, moments when God broke through especially. Our job is to be open to those moments and cultivate a heart ready to receive God’s grace.

So, when we struggle with aspects of our faith and grumble like those disciples, let’s remember two things. First, it’s okay to struggle. Jesus doesn’t reject us for our questions or our doubts. And second, we’re not in this alone. God is constantly reaching out to us, inviting us into a deeper understanding and relationship.

Our faith journey isn’t about achieving perfect understanding or never having doubts. It’s about continually turning towards God, even in our confusion and struggles. It’s about being open to God’s grace, trusting He will guide us towards more profound truth and faith.

The Departure of Many

Now, we come to a truly poignant moment in this Gospel passage: “From this time, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”

Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt in that moment? He had invested in these people, taught them, and cared for them. And now, faced with a teaching they couldn’t accept, they were walking away. It must have been heartbreaking.

But notice what Jesus doesn’t do. He doesn’t run after them, begging them to come back. He doesn’t water down His teaching to make it more palatable. He doesn’t compromise the truth to keep His followers. Instead, He turns to those who remain and asks a profound question: “You do not want to leave too, do you?”

This question is not just for the Twelve. It’s a question that echoes through the centuries that Jesus asks each of us: Will you stay, even when it’s difficult? Will you follow, even when you don’t fully understand? Will you trust, even when everything in you wants to turn away?

You see, my dear friends, our faith journey will have moments like this. Moments when the teachings seem too hard, when the path seems too difficult, and when it would be easier to walk away. Maybe you’ve experienced moments like this in your own life. Perhaps you’re during one right now.

Perhaps it’s a Church teaching that you struggle to accept. Maybe it’s a personal tragedy that’s shaken your faith. Or perhaps it’s just the daily grind of trying to live a Christian life in a world that often seems indifferent or even hostile to our beliefs.

In these moments, we have a choice. We can turn back, like those disciples who could no longer follow Jesus. Or we can choose to stay, wrestle with our doubts, and lean into our faith even when it’s complicated.

Choosing to stay doesn’t mean we have it all figured out. It doesn’t mean we never struggle or doubt. Choosing to stay means we’re committed to the journey, even when the path is unclear. It means we trust that there’s something—or rather, someone—worth following, even when we don’t have all the answers.

Remember, even the Twelve, Jesus’ closest followers, didn’t fully understand everything. They would misunderstand Jesus many more times before they finally got it. But they chose to stay. They decided to follow, even in their confusion and doubt.

And here’s the beautiful thing: God can work with that. God can work with our imperfect faith, struggling trust, and faltering steps. What matters is not that we have it all figured out but that we’re willing to keep following, trusting, and seeking.

So, if you’re struggling and tempted to turn back, hear Jesus’ gentle question: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” It’s not a guilt trip. It’s not a threat. It’s an invitation to deeper trust, to a faith that perseveres even when the path is difficult.

And remember, you’re not alone in this journey. You have a community of faith around you. You have the teachings and traditions of the Church to guide you. And most importantly, you have the presence of Christ Himself, walking with you every step of the way.

So, let’s choose to stay. Let’s choose to follow, even when it’s complicated. Because in the end, as we’ll see, there’s nowhere else to go.

Peter’s Profound Response

And now we come to what I believe is one of the most beautiful moments in all Scripture. Jesus has just watched many of His followers walk away. He’s also turned to His closest disciples and asked if they want to leave. And in this moment, Simon Peter steps forward with a response that echoes through the ages:

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Oh, how much is packed into these two short sentences! Let’s unpack them together because I believe they hold the key to persevering faith and a commitment that can withstand any challenge.

First, Peter says, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” There’s a recognition here that Jesus offers something unique that can’t be found anywhere else. Peter and the others have seen enough, heard enough, and experienced enough to know that there’s something special about Jesus. They may not understand everything, but they know enough to recognize that walking away from Jesus means walking away from something precious and irreplaceable.

Have you ever felt that way in your faith journey? Maybe you’ve had moments of doubt, moments when you’ve considered walking away. But something holds you back. Something whispers in your heart, “Where else would I go?” Because deep down, you know that despite the challenges, hard teachings, and moments of doubt, there’s something here—someone here—that you can’t walk away from.

Then Peter says, “You have the words of eternal life.” This is a profound statement of faith. Peter says, “Jesus, we may not understand everything you say. Some of your teachings may be hard for us to accept. But we recognize that your words aren’t just interesting philosophy or good advice. Your words offer life—eternal life.”

Peter understood something crucial: following Jesus isn’t just about adhering to a set of teachings or following a moral code. It’s about receiving life—abundant life, eternal life. It’s about entering into a relationship with the source of life itself.

When we approach our faith this way, it changes everything. We’re no longer just trying to follow rules or understand doctrines. We’re opening ourselves to life-giving words, to a life-giving relationship. We’re saying, like Peter, “Jesus, your words give life. And that’s what I need more than anything else.”

Finally, Peter concludes with a powerful statement of faith: “We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Notice the progression here. They have “come to believe and to know.” This isn’t blind faith. It’s not an irrational leap in the dark. It’s a conviction that has grown through experience and relationships over time.

Peter and the others had walked with Jesus. They had seen His miracles, heard His teachings, and experienced His love. Through all this, they came to a deep conviction that Jesus was not just a great teacher or a miracle worker. He is the Holy One of God.

This is the kind of faith that can withstand challenges. It’s not faith based on feeling good or having all the answers. It’s a faith rooted in experience, relationship, and growing conviction of who Jesus is.

And here’s the amazing thing: we’re invited into the same kind of faith journey. We may not walk the dusty roads of Galilee with Jesus, but we can encounter Him in prayer, Scripture, sacraments, and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We, too, can come to believe and know that Jesus is the Holy One of God.

So, my dear friends, remember Peter’s words when you face challenges in your faith and encounter teachings that are hard to accept when you’re tempted to turn back. Remember that in Jesus, we have the words of eternal life. Remember that He is the Holy One of God.

And then ask yourself: To whom else would I go? Where else could I find such life, such truth, such love? And in that moment, choose to follow, trust, and believe again.

The Relevance for Us Today

You might be thinking, “That’s a beautiful story, but what does it have to do with me? I’m not a first-century disciple facing the challenge of Jesus’ hard sayings about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. How is this relevant to my life today?”

That’s a fair question, and it’s one we should always ask when we read Scripture. How does this ancient text speak to our modern lives? Let me suggest a few ways this passage is profoundly relevant today.

First, we all face moments of decision in our faith journey. Maybe it’s not about whether to follow Jesus around Galilee, but we all have moments when we must decide: Will I continue to follow Christ, or will I turn away? These moments might come in significant, dramatic ways—a personal crisis that shakes our faith or an encounter with a teaching of the Church that we find difficult to accept. Or they might come in small, everyday choices—will I make time for prayer today? Will I choose to act with love towards this challenging person? Will I stand up for my faith in a culture that often misunderstands or ridicules it?

In all these moments, big and small, we face the same question those disciples faced: Will we continue to follow Jesus, even when it’s difficult?

Secondly, we all encounter “hard teachings” in our faith. The specific teaching that challenged those disciples might not be the one that challenges us, but I guarantee there’s something in our

faith that you find difficult to accept or understand. Maybe it’s the Church’s teachings on sexuality or marriage. Perhaps it’s the concept of suffering and how it fits with a loving God. Or it could be something as fundamental as believing in a God we can’t see or touch.

Whatever it is for you, know that you’re not alone. Every believer throughout history has grappled with aspects of faith that challenge them. The question is not whether we’ll face these challenges but how to respond to them.

Will we, like those disciples who turned away, decide it’s too much and walk away from our faith? Or will we, like Peter and the Twelve, choose to stay, wrestle with the hard teachings, and trust that there’s truth and life to be found even in the things we don’t fully understand?

Thirdly, we all need to be convinced about who Jesus is. Notice that Peter doesn’t just parrot back Jesus’ teachings. He makes a profound personal statement: “We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” This wasn’t just accepted on hearsay. It wasn’t just tradition passed down. It was a personal conviction born out of experience and relationship.

Each of us must come to this point in our faith journey. It’s not enough to believe because our parents believed or because it’s what we’ve always been taught. At some point, we need to make our faith our own. We need to say, like Peter, “I have come to believe and to know.”

This doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey of growing in relationship with Christ, experiencing His presence in our lives, and wrestling with doubts and questions. But it’s an essential journey if our faith is to withstand the challenges life will inevitably throw at us.

Fourthly, this passage reminds us of the importance of community in our faith journey. Peter speaks up when Jesus asks if the Twelve also want to leave. But he speaks in the plural: “We have come to believe and to know.” This suggests that while faith is personal, it’s not meant to be private. We’re meant to journey together, support each other, and articulate our faith to and for each other.

In our individualistic culture, it’s easy to think of faith as just “me and Jesus.” But that’s not the biblical model. We’re called to be part of a community of faith, journey together, support each other when doubts arise, and celebrate together the joys of faith.

So I encourage you: Don’t try to go it alone in your faith journey. Be part of a community. Share your struggles and your joys. Allow others to support you and be willing to help others in turn.

Lastly, this passage reminds us of the ultimate foundation of our faith: Jesus Himself. Notice that when many turned away, Jesus didn’t change His teaching. He didn’t water down the truth to make it more palatable. Instead, He turned to those who remained and asked, “Is your faith in me strong enough to withstand this challenge?”

Ultimately, our faith isn’t built on fully understanding every teaching. It’s not based on constantly feeling good or solving all our problems. It’s built on a relationship with Jesus Christ, on a recognition that He alone has “the words of eternal life.”

When we build our faith on this foundation—on Christ Himself—we create a faith that can withstand any storm. We may not understand everything. We may struggle with doubts. We may face challenges that shake us to our core. But if we can say, with Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” then we have a faith that can endure.

Living Out This Faith

So, how do we live out this kind of faith in our daily lives? How do we cultivate a faith that can say, like Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” when faced with challenges? Let me offer a few practical suggestions.

First, prioritize your relationship with Christ. Remember, Peter’s declaration wasn’t based on abstract theology. It was based on a relationship: walking with Jesus, listening to His teachings, witnessing His miracles, and experiencing His love. We may not be able to walk with Jesus as Peter did physically, but we can cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Him.

Spend time in prayer each day. Not just reciting memorized prayers (although those have their place) but talking to Jesus as you would a friend. Share your joys, your fears, your doubts. Listen for His voice in the silence of your heart.

Read Scripture regularly. The Bible is not just a rulebook or a history text. It’s a love letter from God to humanity. It’s one of the primary ways God speaks to us. Make time each day to read and reflect on God’s Word.

Participate fully in the sacraments. In the Eucharist, we have the incredible privilege of receiving the very Body and Blood of Christ—the reality behind the “hard teaching” that caused so many to turn away. Don’t take this for granted. Approach the Eucharist with reverence and gratitude, recognizing it as the incredible gift it is.

Secondly, don’t be afraid of questions and doubts. Notice that Jesus didn’t rebuke His disciples for finding His teaching hard. He challenged them, but He didn’t condemn them for struggling. In the same way, don’t be afraid to wrestle with the aspects of faith you find difficult.

Bring your questions to God in prayer. Seek out reliable resources to help you understand Church teachings better. Talk to priests, religious, or other mature believers who can guide you. Remember, doubt isn’t the opposite of faith. Often, wrestling with doubt can lead to deeper, more mature faith.

Thirdly, be part of a faith community. As we discussed earlier, faith isn’t meant to be a solo journey. Find a parish community where you can grow, serve, and be supported in your faith. Join a small group or Bible study to discuss your faith with others. Seek friendships with other believers who can encourage and challenge you to grow.

Fourthly, put your faith into action. Faith isn’t just about what we believe; it’s about how we live. Look for ways to serve others in your community. Stand up for justice and truth. Let your faith inform every aspect of your life—your work, relationships, and decisions.

James tells us that faith without works is dead. When we put our faith into action, we not only benefit others, but we also strengthen our faith. We see God at work through us, reinforcing our belief and commitment.

Fifthly, be patient with yourself and with God. Growth in faith is a lifelong journey. There will be times of great spiritual consolation when God feels close, and everything makes sense. There will also be times of dryness and doubt when God seems distant, and faith feels like a struggle.

Both of these experiences are standard parts of the spiritual journey. The key is to remain faithful through both the highs and the lows. Remember, feelings are fickle, but faith is a choice we make each day to trust in God and follow His way.

Lastly, always keep eternity in view. Remember Peter’s words: “You have the words of eternal life.” Our faith isn’t just about improving our lives here and now (although it does that, too). It’s about eternal life. It’s about a relationship with God that begins now and continues for all eternity.

When we keep this eternal perspective, it helps us navigate the challenges of this life. The struggles, doubts, and hard teachings fade in importance when we remember that we’re on a journey to eternal life with God.

Conclusion

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we’ve journeyed through a powerful and challenging passage of Scripture today. We’ve seen the reality of how difficult faith can sometimes be. We’ve witnessed many disciples turning away when faced with a teaching they couldn’t accept. But we’ve also seen the beautiful, profound faith of Peter and the Twelve, who recognized in Jesus the Holy One of God, who has the words of eternal life.

As we go forth from here today, I encourage you to reflect on your faith journey. Where are you about this passage? Are you struggling with aspects of faith that seem too complicated? Are you tempted to turn away? Or are you at a place where you can say, with Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”?

Wherever you find yourself, know this: Jesus is patient. He doesn’t force anyone to follow Him. But He does invite, challenge, and call us to a deeper faith and a closer relationship with Him.

Remember, it’s okay to have questions. It’s OK to struggle. What matters is that we keep turning toward Jesus, seeking Him, and trusting that we find the words of eternal life in Him.

And if you’re at a point in your faith where you can confidently say, like Peter, “We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God,” then praise God for that gift of faith! And look for ways to share that faith with others who may be struggling.

Let’s pray for a deeper faith as we prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist—the reality behind the “hard teaching” in our Gospel today. Let’s ask God to help us trust Him more fully and follow Him more closely, even when the path is difficult.

And let’s encourage one another in this journey of faith. Because ultimately, we’re all in this together, all of us stumbling followers of Jesus, all of us trying to remain faithful even when faith is challenging.

May God bless you and strengthen your faith. And may each of us be able to say, with ever-growing conviction, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Amen.