REFLECTIONS ON THE WORD 
John 6:60-69
In our Gospel today we hear the conclusion of the “Bread of Life discourse”. The Gospel describes a murmuring crowd unable to accept Jesus’ words. The crowd has dwindled in number, and John no longer references them as Jews but as Jesus’ own disciples.
Just as the larger crowd had struggled with Jesus’ teaching, the disciples also cannot accept Jesus’ words. He responds that only those chosen by the Father will follow Him to the end.
Many of those who had been Jesus’ disciples ceased to follow him, from a crowd of more than 5,000 to only 12 people. Simon Peter’s response to Jesus’ question as to whether those closest to him will also leave, Peter announces, on behalf of all the Twelve, that they have come to believe all that Jesus has taught about himself: Jesus is the one from God in whom they have found the path to eternal life.
This conclusion of the Bread of Life discourse focuses on personal faith in the life of Christian discipleship. Each person must make his or her own judgment about who Jesus is and in doing so determine the way of life that he or she will follow. Each person must respond to the grace of God and confess as his or her own the belief that Jesus is the one from God. Do you believe that this faith will commit you to the path of life that leads to eternal life? To whom shall you go? 
By Fr. Rolo Alcasid, SDB
PHOTO by Veni Creator
