As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)
Many of the followers of the Lord, many of those who today would be called Catholics, after hearing His doctrine said openly, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’” (J 6:60) After their statement, they impenitently waited from Christ to give a satisfactory answer. They put themselves in position to understand better what was needed, than Christ would know. They in fact dictated their demands. They wanted Christ to be pastoral over doctrinal.
The Lord did not change anything as they were wrong and stubborn. Only then many of disciples left Him and stopped going with Him. Christ actually had indentified their expectations a while ago when He said: “you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. (J 6:26)
The story of stubbornness of the People of God has been well know. Because of that the Church, parishes communities, you and I, need to be called to be back to our roots, in the same way as Joshua called the elders of all the tribes of Israel: “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped (…) and serve the Lord. If you will not serve the Lord, choose today whom you wish to serve. (…) As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15).
I would like also call you today, if only you would hear Christ’s voice “do not harden your hearts”. Let us renew our faith and say together with Peter: Jesus Christ, You are the Lord, You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God. (J 6:69).
Fr Stan