Difficult Truth

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’ 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? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.’ He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him. John 6:60-71

These are discouraging times for many, and it can seem appropriate to give up and walk away. When we have to face difficult and hard truths, we often pretend not to hear, think we can ignore it, we can hide, or just walk away. Many of Jesus' disciples did just that. They were in the presence of the living God, and yet they could not live with difficult teachings and truths. We humans are prone to great love and even greater betrayal and failing. Today we are invited to seek a deeper faith, a deeper trust, a deeper love in these challenging times.

Loving Creator, you know the depths of us

our fickle and divisive hearts and minds

yet you love us completely and stay with us

despite the darkness and challenges within.

We have loved fame and fortune too much

we are wowed by trinkets and shiny stuff

yet are shallow, selfish and unkind often

and forget to care for the least among us.

Help us Lord, to stay with you today

never let us fade away or give up now

you call us to be your heart and hands here

make us your disciples in these hard times. Amen.