“But there are some of you that do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. 

And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
(John 6: 64-65) 

 John 6: 60-69 

These are difficult verses to reflect upon. Jesus knows full well that some of us doubt him. He even knows that some will betray him. Furthermore, the Father seems to decide who can come to Jesus and who can’t. 

Am I predestined to be someone who doubts and who slips up in my journey to God? Sometimes, it can certainly feel this way.

Thinking of grace is a more helpful way of thinking about this verse. Grace is God’s free gift of Godself to all of us. We cannot, by our powers, bring ourselves to God. Instead, God is the agent of our union with God. 

This is why the Father grants us the right to come to Jesus. As with any gift, we are free to choose whether to receive it or not. That is the place of our agency.

Perhaps it can also be a point of consolation that God knows our hearts. He knows our doubts and our struggles. Why should we struggle to bring these doubts and struggles before God? Perhaps that can become a moment of receiving God’s grace to come closer to Jesus.

Am I aware of God’s graces in my life? 

How do I feel about my doubts and my struggles? 

Am I willing to take them to God and receive his freely given grace?

Reflections by Sean van Staden SJ

Loving God,
You know my doubts and struggles. I bring them all before you this morning. I know you always give me the graces I need; help me to receive them.
Amen.

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