May 2, 2020
Saturday for di Third Week of Easter
Readings for Today
Saint Athanasius, Bishop wey be Doctor—Memorial
Listen for English
Because of this, plenty of Im disciples go back to di way dem dey live before, and dem no follow Am again. Jesus come ask di Twelve, “Una too wan leave?” Simon Peter answer Am, “Master, who we go go meet? Na You get di words of eternal life.” John 6:66–68
Di answer wey Peter give really perfect. Di things wey surround this story really draw person attention and show us plenty things. Jesus just finish Im beautiful and deep teaching about di Holy Eucharist. E talk am clear say Im bodi na real food and Im blood na real drink, and say unless una chop di bodi of di Pikin of Man and drink Im blood, una no get life inside una.
Because of Im teaching about di Eucharist, plenty people “go back to di way dem dey live before, and dem no follow Am again.” This mean say e hard for plenty people to accept and believe wetin Jesus teach about di Eucharist.
One thing wey draw attention be say, after Jesus give this deep teaching about di Eucharist, and after plenty people leave Am because of am, E no take Im words back or change wetin E talk. Instead, E ask Im Apostles whether dem too wan leave.
E important make we understand this question wey Jesus ask di Apostles. As E ask dem this question direct like this, Jesus dey give dem full freedom to choose. E no put pressure on dem to believe wetin E just teach. This one important because di way Jesus leave dem to decide for demself na way to invite di Apostles to accept Im glorious teaching about di Eucharist with complete freedom. Dem truly free to accept am or reject am. Na this freedom make dem fit deepen dia faith in Jesus reach dia very root.
Peter speak up and give one wonderful answer. “Master, who we go go meet?” These words wey Peter talk show two things clear. First, di situation hard because people dey leave Jesus. But secondly, Peter and di other Apostles know say dem must believe even though e hard. Just because plenty people leave Jesus and refuse to accept Im words no be reason for di Apostles too to leave Am. In fact, for Peter words, we fit hear how dia faith show say dem don believe in Jesus so completely that to leave Am go be total foolishness. Where dem go go? Why dem go leave? Peter declare Im faith in Jesus again, even though to follow Am that time no be wetin most people want do.
Today, think deep about how much you don give yourself to Jesus. Know say you get full freedom to follow Am or to leave Am. But if you choose to follow Am, no do am halfway. Know say Jesus words get power, dem dey challenge you, and dem dey demand plenty from you. E want make you believe in Am and follow Am with all your heart and with deep commitment. Na only Jesus get di words of eternal life, and we must accept and believe those words with all our strength.
Lord, who else I go go meet if I no follow You? Na You, and only You, I choose to believe in and follow. Help me to accept everything wey You don teach, and help me to choose You freely every single day of my life. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of di Day – Saint Athanasius, Bishop wey be Doctor
Ingres, Jean – Jesus Dey Return di Keys to St. Peter
