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Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father
who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day.” John
6:44
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues His conversation with the crowd
who sought Him out after performing the miracle of the
multiplication of the loaves and fishes. As the conversation
continues, Jesus deepens His clarity about His relationship with
the Father, His divine identity, the Father’s action in our lives,
and the gift of Himself as the Bread of Life.
The passage above reveals an essential spiritual principle we must
understand as we work to strengthen our relationship with God:
Faith is a response to the Father’s call, not something we initiate
on our own. This principle is crucial because faith is not
primarily a resolution we make to grow closer to God; rather, it
begins as a resolution from the Father in Heaven Who draws us to
Himself by drawing us to His Son, Jesus, especially in the
Eucharist.
Practically speaking, this principle must guide our prayer lives.
Though it’s good to make a conscious effort to pray every day, to
meditate on the Scriptures, recite devotions, and attend Mass as
often as possible, we must always see those efforts as a response
to God’s invitation rather than our own good idea. It’s a subtle,
though important, distinction.
To illustrate, consider the Gospel story of the contrasting prayer
of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9–14. In that
parable, the Pharisee offered many prayers each day and fasted
regularly, but his prayers went unheard and his fasting was
unfruitful. Why? Because his actions were not initiated by God but
were works of his own doing. In contrast, the tax collector, aware
of his sin and need for God’s mercy, humbled himself and prayed, “O
God, be merciful to me a sinner.” That prayer was beautiful and
fruitful because it was a response to God Who revealed his sin to
him and called him to repent, which he did.
Today’s Gospel lesson comes to us within the context of Jesus’
teaching on the Eucharist. Therefore, we must especially apply His
opening words to the way we participate in the Mass. Our choice to
attend Mass is not something we do as a favor to God. Instead, our
participation in the Mass must be a response to the Father Who
offers us the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus, His Son,
as the spiritual food we need in order to attain everlasting life.
Participation in the Mass is God’s gift to us, and our response
must be authentic prayer.
Our participation in the Mass becomes authentic when we recognize
that the Father is inviting us to receive the Eucharist as “the
living bread that came down from heaven” and Jesus’ “Flesh for the
life of the world.” The Mass is about receiving God into our lives,
not because we choose to put Him there, but because we say “Yes” to
His invitation to be drawn to Him. The word “Eucharist” means
“thanksgiving,” and this must be our prayerful response to such a
great gift. We must foster an attitude of sincere gratitude for the
Father’s invitation to share in the Sacrifice of His Son so as to
be given the unmerited gift of eternal life.
Reflect today on your participation in the Mass. If you ever feel
that your attendance is a favor to God, pause and listen to the
Father’s voice calling you. Try to hear Him invite you to this most
precious Feast. Become aware of the Father drawing you to the Mass,
to His Son, the source of eternal life. Respond with humble
gratitude, knowing that there is no greater gift you can
receive.
Heavenly Father, You constantly speak to me, call to me, and
draw me to Your Son. Please open my ears to hear Your gentle voice,
offering me the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Son in
the Holy Eucharist. May my participation in that unfathomable Gift
be one of sincere gratitude for the eternal gifts You invite me to
receive. Jesus, I trust in You.
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