25 August 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

TOPIC: WHAT STRENGTHENS MY FAITH IN JESUS, EVEN WHEN OTHERS REFUSE TO BELIEVE AND TURN AWAY?

First Reading: Joshua 24: 1-2a, 15-17, 18b
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23
Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 21-32 or Ephesians 5: 2a, 25-32
Alleluia: John 6: 63c, 68c
Gospel: John 6: 60-69

In today's gospel, Jesus invites us to keep believing in Him, even when others refuse and turn away. In this passage, many of Jesus' disciples struggled with His teaching, finding it difficult to accept. Jesus, aware of their murmuring, challenged them by asking if His teaching was shocking and what they would think if they saw Him returning to heaven.

As a result of this teaching, many disciples chose to leave and return to their previous lives. Jesus asked the twelve if they also wanted to go. Simon Peter responded with a profound declaration of faith, affirming that Jesus has the words of eternal life and that they believe He is the Holy One of God.

May we get inspiration from Simon Peter and St. Zita, who lived a life of humility, devotion, and perseverance in faith despite adversity, even when others refused to believe and turned away.

This is the 1581st installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: Let us listen to our brother Israel Silud, Regional Coordinator for East Asia, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS]