SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF EASTER - Jn 6:60-69 - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

"Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (Jn 6:68)

READING OF THE DAY

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 9:31-42

The Church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria

was at peace.

She was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord,

and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit she grew in numbers.

As Peter was passing through every region,

he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda.

There he found a man named Aeneas,

who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed.

Peter said to him,

"Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed."

He got up at once.

And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him,

and they turned to the Lord.

Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha

(which translated is Dorcas).

She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving.

Now during those days she fell sick and died,

so after washing her, they laid her out in a room upstairs.

Since Lydda was near Joppa,

the disciples, hearing that Peter was there,

sent two men to him with the request,

"Please come to us without delay."

So Peter got up and went with them.

When he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs

where all the widows came to him weeping

and showing him the tunics and cloaks

that Dorcas had made while she was with them.

Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed.

Then he turned to her body and said, "Tabitha, rise up."

She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.

He gave her his hand and raised her up,

and when he had called the holy ones and the widows,

he presented her alive.

This became known all over Joppa,

and many came to believe in the Lord.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said,

"This saying is hard; who can accept it?"

Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,

he said to them, "Does this shock you?

What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.

The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.

But there are some of you who do not believe."

Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe

and the one who would betray him.

And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me

unless it is granted him by my Father."

As a result of this,

many of his disciples returned to their former way of life

and no longer walked with him.

Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?"

Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.

We have come to believe

and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF EASTER - Jn 6:60-69

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

In God's Word today, God foretells everyone about the identity of Jesus Christ. He is the truth, the light, and the life given to humanity. Only He can bring eternal life to humans, as He said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever."

This statement is hard to believe for humans because it is beyond human intelligence and understanding. It is only with God's spirit and light illuminating humans that they can hear and understand the given word of God. The given Word of God will bring salvation to mankind, when mankind wholeheartedly believes, loves God's word, and puts His Word into practice. This is the truth.

The Word of God today also foretells humankind that Jesus Christ Himself is the Holy Bread in the Eucharist. Anyone who believes, receives Him into their heart and practices God's teachings will be saved by Him in both bodies and souls.

There is no one with greater power than Him. No one has a love as great as the Supreme God. Therefore, God calls all humanity to:

- Come to God, let Him give you strength to receive His Holy Body and Blood. Because without the strength and love of God given to human souls, then that person's soul will not be able to bear the holiness of God when we receive God's only Son into our hearts.

- Turn to God. For He is love. To ask for the strength and spirit of the Holy Spirit to enlighten and guide us to the source of grace, which is Jesus Christ, through the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Because only in Him is the spiritual and everlasting source of food given to nourish the bodies and souls of humans while living on earth. This is until the day God brings us to gain happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven.

- To Have a simple, pure, chaste heart and always be open to the Spirit of the Holy Spirit to guide us to receive the Son of God Himself into our souls, and to enter and gain happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Word of God today calls everyone that: "Whoever eats this bread will live forever." That bread is the Body of Jesus Christ, the only Son of the Supreme God in the Holy Eucharist.

Thanks be to God. Amen.