Dear brothers and sisters, in the readings for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are confronted with a fundamental question: Whom will we serve? The readings invite us to reflect on our commitment to God, the nature of our relationships with one another, and the challenges of discipleship.
In the first reading from the Book of Joshua, we witness a pivotal moment in the history of Israel. Joshua, the leader who succeeded Moses, gathers the tribes of Israel at Shechem, a place of significant covenantal history. He challenges the people to make a decisive choice: to serve the Lord or to serve the gods of the surrounding nations. Joshua declares his own unwavering commitment: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” This statement is not merely a personal declaration but a public profession of faith. Joshua understands that serving the Lord requires a total commitment, one that cannot coexist with the worship of other gods.
The people respond with a resounding affirmation, recalling the Lord’s mighty acts in delivering them from Egypt and guiding them through the wilderness. Their response is rooted in gratitude and memory—they have witnessed God’s faithfulness and, therefore, choose to remain faithful to Him. This passage invites us to consider our own commitment to God. In a world filled with competing loyalties and distractions, whom do we serve? Are we, like Joshua, willing to make a bold stand for our faith, or do we waver in our devotion?
The second reading from the Letter to the Ephesians presents a profound reflection on the relationship between husbands and wives, using the analogy of Christ’s relationship with the Church. St. Paul calls for mutual submission out of reverence for Christ, a concept that can be challenging to understand in our contemporary context. However, the focus here is on love and self-sacrifice. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, a love that is self-giving, purifying, and sanctifying. This passage is not about power or control but about the selfless love that reflects the love of Christ.
In the context of the Church, this passage highlights the intimate relationship between Christ and His people. Christ’s love for the Church is a model for all relationships, rooted in sacrificial love and mutual respect. Just as Christ nourishes and cherishes the Church, so too are we called to care for one another, particularly in our most intimate relationships. This reading challenges us to examine how we love and serve those closest to us, and whether our love reflects the self-giving love of Christ.
The Gospel reading from John brings us to a moment of crisis in the ministry of Jesus. After delivering the Bread of Life discourse, many of Jesus’ disciples find His teachings difficult to accept. “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” they murmur. Jesus does not soften His message but challenges them further, emphasizing that it is the Spirit that gives life. Many disciples choose to leave, unable to accept the demands of following Jesus.
In this moment, Jesus turns to the Twelve and asks, “Do you also want to leave?” Peter’s response is a profound declaration of faith: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Peter recognizes that despite the difficulty of Jesus’ teachings, there is no alternative that offers what Jesus does—eternal life and truth.
This Gospel challenges us to consider our own response to the difficult teachings of Christ. Discipleship is not easy; it requires trust, even when we do not fully understand or when the teachings challenge our comfort. Like Peter, we are invited to respond with faith, acknowledging that only in Christ can we find the words of eternal life.
In conclusion, the readings today call us to a deeper commitment to God, to love one another with the selfless love of Christ, and to remain faithful even when the path of discipleship is challenging. As we reflect on these readings, may we, like Joshua, Peter, and the people of Israel, choose to serve the Lord with all our hearts, trusting in His words of eternal life.