As we gather on this Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, the readings invite us to reflect deeply on our faith, commitment, and the profound mysteries of our Christian belief, particularly as they relate to the Eucharist.

In today’s Gospel from John 6:60-69, we witness a pivotal moment in Christ’s ministry. Jesus, after teaching about the Eucharist, asks His disciples, “Do you also want to leave?” This question arises after many followers struggle to accept His teaching on the need to eat His flesh and drink His blood—an early reference to the sacrament of the Eucharist. For many, this teaching was too difficult to comprehend, leading them to turn away. However, Simon Peter, speaking on behalf of the remaining apostles, responds with a declaration of faith: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
This passage challenges us to examine our own faith. Are we, like those early disciples, struggling with the mysteries of our belief, or do we stand firm with Peter, trusting in the words of Christ even when full understanding eludes us?
The first reading, taken from the Book of Joshua (24:1-2; 15-18), recounts the assembly of the tribes of Israel, where Joshua calls the people to renew their covenant with God. He challenges them to choose whom they will serve: the gods of their ancestors or the Lord who delivered them from Egypt. This call to decision echoes the challenge Jesus presents in the Gospel, asking us to make a definitive choice in our faith journey.
In the second reading, from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (5:21-32), we are given a model of love and sacrifice, which Paul compares to the relationship between Christ and the Church. Here, St. Paul sets Christ’s self-giving love as an example for all relationships, particularly within the family.
The Eucharist, central to today’s Gospel, is more than just a symbol; it is the true presence of Christ, a mystery that has been at the heart of Christian worship for two millennia. Though we may not fully comprehend the depths of this sacrament, we are called to embrace it with faith. Jesus’ words and promises offer us eternal life, a truth upheld by countless saints and martyrs throughout history.