WHOM THE FATHER GIVES ME

PRAYER MOMENT             

Wednesday, 7 May 2014

WHOM THE FATHER GIVES ME

Pause. Be present in the synagogue at Capernaum.

Reading: “You can see me and still you do not believe. Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me.” (John 6:35-40)

Reflection. “Everyone the Father gives me!” Does that mean there are some he does not give me? Any puzzling out we do about the meaning of texts has to come second to the clear message of the gospel: Jesus came to offer his life for everyone. There are no exceptions. Why some are drawn to the things of the spirit while others dismiss these as distractions from the pursuit of power and wealth is hard, perhaps impossible, to understand. It leads us into the question of evil and why free beings make evil choices. They prefer short term gratification to long term peace of mind. John chapter six tells us that God’s gift of the bread of life is for all. Even the Father is not free. He can only draw people to his Son when he sees the spark of goodness in the heart of a person. If he finds nothing he cannot “give” us to his Son.

     

Prayer. Lord, we ask you to “draw” us to your Son. We can be so resistant. Purify our hearts that we may notice your gentle drawing. Amen..

David Harold-Barry SJ