SATURDAY, THIRD WEEK OF EASTER
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin & Doctor
Acts 9:31-42 or 1 Jn 1:5–2:2; Ps 116:12-17; Jn 6:60-69
TO BECOME A DISCIPLE LIKE THE MASTER
To be a disciple or a follower what is very essential is to listen to the master and to follow all his directives and as a result teach others so that they too may become the disciples of that master. If one holds on to his/her opinion or understanding and is not ready to follow the directives of the master, that person cannot be a disciple or a follower of that master. In the same way if one wants to be the disciple of Jesus, one has to be ready to listen to Jesus, learn from him and put into practice.
In the first reading, we see Saint Peter who encountered the Risen Jesus, understood all that Jesus had taught and began to practice and follow in his footsteps. He was even able to perform miracles. He became like his master since he followed the teachings of Jesus and followed in his footsteps. And in the gospel passage today, we find confusion among the followers of Jesus after hearing about the teaching on eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of Man. They found it very hard to follow and many began to leave his company. At that time Jesus asks his disciples, whom he had chosen and loved, do you also want to go away? And Peter comes forward and on behalf of everyone replies saying, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. That is the truth or the reality Peter and his companions realized and experienced, as they remained with him as his disciples.
Today Jesus is asking each of us: “Do you find my teachings hard to follow? Is it so difficult to understand me? Don’t you experience my presence in your life? What about the promises which you made at your baptism? or at your Religious profession? or at your priestly ordination? or at the sacrament of marriage? We are all called to be the disciples of Jesus, our master in our own way of life. Let us try to be like our master, Jesus.
Response: How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?
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