21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Eph 5:21-32; Jn 6:60-69

A religion class teacher was telling her students that people have two crucial options in life, namely: the road to heaven or to hell.

Then, she challenged the students saying, “Those who wish to go to hell please stand up!”

After a few moments of silence, a little boy stood up.

“Do you really wish to go to hell? The teacher asked.

“Not really teacher,” the student replied. “I just hate to see you standing and going to hell alone.”

(The story is from an unknown author)

In the first reading, Joshua and the people of Israel reach a critical crossroad in their life as a nation. They have to make a decision whether they will worship and follow Yahweh or they will go back and serve the gods of the Amorites. Joshua declares that he and his household will not turn their back to Yahweh. They are committed to serve Yahweh and no other. The others who treasure the fact that Yahweh is the One who delivered them from the bondage of Egypt also make a commitment – they will follow only Yahweh their God.

In like manner, the disciples in the gospel are at a crossroad. Either they accept the teachings of Jesus (especially the contents of the “bread of life discourse”) or they reject him. The gospel says that because of the difficult nature of Jesus’ teaching many followers left his company. Peter, who represents the apostles, makes a strong declaration to stay with the Lord: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:68-69).

These readings challenge us to reexamine our commitment to the Lord? How faithful are we to him and to his teachings? Speaking about hard, difficult teaching, try to listen to the second reading: “Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. The husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the Church, the body of which he is the Savior” (Eph 5:21-23). How many of us got to hate Saint Paul because of these words? For fear of antagonizing parishioners, some pastors would even exclude this part of the reading in the mass.

Before throwing Paul’s letter to the garbage, why don’t we read just two verses further: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her” (Eph 5:25). How did Christ love the Church? Did he not serve her like a good shepherd to his flock? Did he not wash her feet like a slave to a master? Did he not give his life by dying on the cross for her? In this letter, therefore, Paul is admonishing husbands to be servants to their wives and to give their lives totally and unconditionally to them. And if this is true, then we should have second thoughts in accusing Paul of being a male chauvinist.

Today, many of us would find difficult to accept some Church teachings such as the ones on contraception, homosexuality, premarital sex, in vitro fertilization, abortion, death penalty and divorce. Some would react by totally ignoring the teachings, while others would leave the Church and change faith. Some others, however, would seek clarification by praying for the Spirit’s enlightenment, by doing personal in-depth study on the subject of their doubts, and by asking the professional, moral guidance of their religious leaders. This last attitude is admirable because often we reject a Church teaching simply out of pride, ignorance, or selfish interests. When we open ourselves to learning, we might be surprise to see the manifold wisdom of Catholic teachings.

Following God’s will is not always comfortable or pleasurable, but it promises self-fulfillment and interior peace. Peter and the other apostles decided to stay with the Lord not because his teachings were all clear to them. They remained with Jesus because they trusted his words. It would be wonderful, too, if we remain loyal to the Catholic Church and try to follow its teachings out of a deep conviction that the Word of Life remains here. We believe in Jesus’ promise: “I will be with you until the consummation of the world” (Mt 28:20).