The Lord Our Refuge

(Read Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116 and John 6:60-69)

“When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’… Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go?’” (John 6:60, 66-68)

The words of Peter in the Gospel passage calls for some deep reflection. When it comes to God, do we really have a choice? Is there an alternative to God? Where else can we find salvation for our souls? Dear friends, if we cannot find happiness following the footsteps of God, where else can we turn to?

The people walked away from Jesus and stopped following him because he told them he was going to give them his own flesh and blood. Like those who walked away from Jesus, there are many times we walk away from God when our expectations are not met. How? We stop taking prayers seriously, we become less fervent with our devotional activities, or we turn aside from following our conscience.

Do you notice that the same Peter who spoke in today’s Gospel passage is the one we see in today’s first reading working miracles in the name of God? Imagine if Peter had walked away from Jesus during that moment of shock when Jesus said they would eat his flesh?

We cannot always understand God, yet God deserves all our trust. Don’t quit on God. Don’t give up your prayers. Don't drop that cross. It may look like Good Friday now but your Easter Sunday will come. No matter how dark the night is, the daylight must surely come.

I pray may we realize that the Lord is our refuge and our last resort no matter how tough the going might be. Amen.