WHO DEFINES THE TRUTH.

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR B
August 23, 2009.
(First reading: Josue 24:1-2,15-17,18) (Second reading: Ephesians 5:21-32)
(Gospel: John 6:55, 60-69)


WHO DEFINES THE TRUTH.

Jesus defines the truth when he says who he is: A man of flesh and blood, just like all human beings are, but unlike all other human beings, his Flesh and Blood are true food and true drink. When we accept his Truth, however, we also become true food and true drink to others.

In today's gospel Jesus defines the Truth when he says: "My flesh is real food and my blood real drink" (John 6:55). This means that whenever we accept Jesus we become like him, with not adulteration. Jesus is the truth in everything; he is true freedom, true service, true peace, true compassion, true justice.

This is the truth that many of Jesus' disciples could not accept and, after hearing him say, "My flesh is real food and my blood real drink", they responded: "This sort of talk is hard to endure. Can anyone take it seriously?". Then, many followed him no more.

In biblical times, as in the present day, those who rejected the truth of Jesus "returned to their former way of life", that is, to their life of lies, injustice, war.

How To Live The Truth Of Jesus.
St. Paul responds: By "being respectful to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21), that is, by being committed to one another just as Jesus is committed to humankind.

Saint Paul applies this truth to the commitment between husband and wife, and explains that said commitment is inferred from the nature of Jesus' relation to his church. Therefore, the same commitment can be applied to the relations between parent and child, employer and laborer, teacher and disciple, between nations, between races.

This Sunday Jesus defines the Truth.