In the first reading from today’s Mass (Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b), Joshua challenges the assembled Israelites to reaffirm their allegiance to the LORD, the God of Israel. They respond admirably, citing the great deeds the LORD had done for them in Egypt and throughout their journeys. Peter, too, in today’s Gospel (John 6:60-69), responds in faith to the Lord’s question, “Do you also want to leave?” by saying, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
However, if we know Israelite history, we know that the people’s fidelity did not last; in succeeding generations, many of the Israelites forsook the LORD and followed other gods, adopting the ways of the peoples among whom they lived. The LORD had to call them back time and time again. Similarly, Peter denies Christ late at night between Holy Thursday and Good Friday, and he must be recommissioned by the Lord on the seashore (cf. John 21). Both cases serve to underscore the nature of faith as gift, which Our Lord makes clear in the Gospel: “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
Today, let us pray earnestly for the gift of faith. If we are experiencing a time of strength and confidence in the Lord, then we can call to mind the times we have fallen away, so as not to take the gift for granted; and if we are in a time of trial, then let us take heart, recalling the Lord’s great mercies with the knowledge that the Lord has given us the gift of faith, and that when we stray, he will call us back as well.