To Whom Shall We Go?
May 10, 2025 - Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
John 6:60-69
Today we conclude our reading of John’s Gospel, chapter 6, which has dominated the entire week. The chapter began with an extraordinary moment—Jesus feeding thousands in the wilderness, leading the crowd to desire Him as their king. Yet, it ends in a much different way: many of His own disciples walk away, unable to accept His teaching.
Why did they leave? Jesus' words about eating His flesh and drinking His blood were too much for them. The mystery of His death—and the inseparable mystery of the Eucharist—became a stumbling block. They “murmured” in disbelief, just as the Israelites murmured in the wilderness during Moses’ time (John 6:41). What Jesus offered was not an earthly kingship of power and security, but something far more profound and difficult to grasp: communion with Him through His flesh and blood.
Jesus responds to their doubts by pointing to His ultimate return to where He came from: “What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” (John 6:62). This is central to John’s Gospel, which follows a pattern of descent and ascent. The eternal Word of God descended from the Father to dwell among us. This descent reached its lowest point on the cross, and—as some apostolic writings suggest—even extended to the realm of the dead. Yet, the cross was not the end. It marked the beginning of Christ’s ascent—His resurrection, His glorification, His return to the Father.
Jesus also makes an important distinction: “It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh is of no avail” (John 6:63). Here, we must distinguish between flesh as mere human weakness and the flesh of Jesus, which gives life. On our own, humanity cannot ascend to heaven. But our humanity, united to Christ, can. By itself, human flesh is mortal, but Jesus’ flesh, given for us on the cross, conquers death. This is why we need to be united with Him — the Bread of Life.
Despite these profound truths, many of Jesus' disciples abandoned Him and returned to their former way of life. John reminds us that faith is a gift from the Father: “For this reason, I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father” (John 6:65). Yet, he does not explain why some were given this grace and others were not. This remains a mystery.
Just as Jesus Himself is the mystery of faith, so too is the Eucharist. Jesus — the Word made flesh — offers Himself as the Bread of Life. The Eucharist—bread and wine—becomes His very body and blood. To believe in both requires grace, the same grace that was given to the Twelve, who, despite their struggles, remained.
And then comes Peter’s powerful confession: “Lord, 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” (John 6:68-69).
This question is as relevant today as it was then. The world offers countless alternatives to Jesus, promising meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. But none of them truly satisfy. When we face doubts or struggles, we, too, must ask ourselves: To whom shall we go?
Let us pray for the grace to respond like Peter—not by turning away, but by standing firm in faith, trusting that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. Let us come to the Eucharist, where He continues to give Himself to us, and remain with Him always.