Homily: Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
John 6:60-69
25 August 2024
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez
Some years back a news article said that as a society, Pinoys have such short-term memories especially when it comes to our government officials. Politicians whose names are linked with scandals, graft and corruption still end up being re-elected. Of course, they go through a period of public persecution, but after a while, they are back in power again. Lately there was a post on Reddit that showed the life cycle of Pinoy communities during the rainy season. When there is devastation caused by a storm or a flood, people wail and complain but they rise to the occasion and help one another. Yet they are quick to identify the gaps in governance and cry out for change in leadership. After a while, they forget. Come election time, they vote for the same people who failed to address the climate and flood control issues. We ask for change and yet we choose the very same people who cannot effect the change we need. Why do we continue to make such poor choices?
Today’s readings remind us of the power of our choices. As the prophet Joshua asks the assembled tribes of Israel, “If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15) He says, he and his family choose to serve God but the rest of the people have to make their choice, too. Similarly, in the gospel, some of Jesus’ disciples choose to leave Him and go back to their old way of life. Jesus is then prompted to give His apostles the option to stay or leave. He asks, “Do you also want to leave?” (John 6:67) Thankfully, none of His apostles do. Peter speaks for the group and says: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
We all face important decisions in life. Why is making a choice important? It is because it is what will direct our life; it is where our future depends on. The most important decision we face is whether we will follow Jesus or not. If one chooses to follow Christ, there are things we need to do to honour Him. Our second reading (Ephesians 5:21-32) identifies a way of life for Christians — wives must submit to husbands, but husbands must love their wives as they love themselves, willing to offer their lives for the sanctification of their wives. At a wedding, the groom shared with the guests why he married his bride. He said, “She is my best chance to reach the Kingdom of Heaven and I promise to be the best chance for her to reach heaven, too. “
Perhaps many of us might say, “Oh, that is an easy decision. Of course, I will follow Jesus,” but Jesus warned that it is not always easy to follow Him. Faith in Jesus does not come easily. Take note that the disbelief on the claims of Jesus did not come from His Jewish opponents but from some of His very own disciples. And what did they do? They just left Him! Now what does it mean for us today? Will we choose to follow Him if it means giving up friends who are influencing us to make bad choices in life? Will we choose to follow Him if it means standing up to a bully who happens to be our boss and lose the promotion at work we so worked hard for? Will we choose to follow Him if it means we will never live in a big house nor drive a fancy car because we refuse to engage in shady business deals? Hence, it is always a matter of choice!
The sad truth is that some of us take for granted the fact that we have the power to make important choices — ones that can determine or influence the future. We end up making the wrong choices because of ignorance, selfishness and fear. When we feel so helpless, we delude ourselves into thinking we cannot effect change so we just never tap into that power. Other times, we are so complacent in how things are going for us that we shy away from choices that we fear would cause us discomfort even if they will benefit more people. Making a choice can be tough. To choose one option is to relinquish the others. There is always a price to pay. We have to take responsibility for our choices and be willing to make the necessary sacrifices. Going back to our story at the start of the homily. The streets flood because of garbage that clogs our drainage systems. Are we willing to sacrifice the convenience of buying plastic packaging and make smarter shopping choices to promote sustainability and protect the environment? If we don’t, flooding will persist and the future generations will suffer the consequences. Similarly, when we choose leaders who throw us a bone today and yet rob the country blind tomorrow, we are depriving our nation of a true chance at progress.
Brothers and sisters, today we are challenged to make wise choices; to bravely ask questions that allow us to make informed decisions. We really ought to stop being self-serving and choosing what provides us with a temporary sense of security. Let us choose rather to serenely entrust ourselves and our future to God’s providence and benevolence. May we choose God and His ways at all times!
Art work by: Jill K. H. Geoffrion
Sunday Gospel Reflections 