TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Jos. 24:1-2,15-18

Psalm 34

Eph 5:21-32

Jn 6: 60-69

Theme: LOSING FOLLOWERS 

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO... 

Today, Jesus lost almost all His following. To be precise, from more than 5,000 followers to 12 disciples and the question was: "What about you, do you want to go away too?" Losing followers is a great tragedy in the world of celebrities and social media. In their world, a huge following is a mark of success and one must do everything humanly possible to keep and please the crowd. 

Interestingly, Jesus was not bothered at all by this drastic loss of followers. He instead turned to the remaining twelve and asked if they also wanted to go. The loss of the crowd did not stop Jesus from telling them the hard truths about Himself and life (the true source of life). He was simply not a crowd-pleasing person. He will not force people to follow or stay with Him neither will He pretend to be what He is not to keep His following.

Likewise, Joshua in the first reading did not want to force anyone to follow and serve YHWH. He had made his choice: he and his household would serve God. It was up to the tribes of Israel to also take their stand. 

Beloved, following, and serving God is not a wholesale affair. The Church of God (Community of true believers) is not in any popularity contest. It, therefore, does not assess its worth based on the number of followers but by the proclamation of the Good News and witnessing to the truth.

Today, most people in our society assess their worth based on the number of followers on their social media handles and platforms. True Christians however must move from “crowd following”, “bread searching” and “bread eating” followers to discipleship. The only factor that contributes to this drastic and life-changing movement is the question Peter addressed to the Master, "to whom shall we go?”

At the point where we realize we have no other than Jesus in this life, we become Christians.

PRAYER

Lord, we have no other God but you. To whom shall we go? Please grant us the grace to focus on eternal matters. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, August 25, 2024.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.