Daily reflection from the CPLO and the Jesuit Institute for 26 August 2021

Published: Thu, 08/26/21

Thursday, 26 August 2021

“Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too? Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life…”

~ John 6:67-68 ~

John 6:60-69

This text in John is heart-breaking. Jesus had shared with his disciples his teaching, and some found the teaching too difficult. Some of those listening to Jesus turned away from him, unable to accept what he had to say. Then, Jesus turns to his closest friends and asks them whether they are going to leave him as well. One can sense the depth of feeling in Jesus’ question. Would his closest friends be able to accept the teaching Jesus was giving them?

But no matter how hard the teaching was, his friends did not desert him. Peter’s response is classic – “Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life.” Perhaps sometimes, we may feel the weight of our Christian beliefs. After all, it is not always easy to live a Christian life, especially when that life is very different to the lives lived around us. When the going gets tough, we may be tempted to give up or to let go of some of the stringent demands of our faith. But Peter’s response to Jesus can be a model answer to our temptations. Where else, but with Jesus, can we find life?

The invitation to us today is to pause briefly and to become aware of the difficulties of our Christian path. Where we find that we are struggling to live according to its demands, can we see the invitation to life that Jesus is offering? Can we embrace that call to life, even if the choices we have to make may be difficult?

Loving God,

The path you have set out for us is a path that leads to life. Give us the grace to make the hard choices which our Christian beliefs may ask us to make, for we know that they will bring us peace and joy

Amen.

Reflection prepared by Grant Tungay SJ

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Venue: Xolile Keteyi House, Zinkwazi, Kwazulu-Natal.  (click to see pictures)

Situated in the seaside town of Zinkwazi, on the Natal north coast, the venue boasts private access to the beach. You can walk for kilometres in either direction. The Zinkwazi River lagoon and swimming beach is a 400m walk from the house.  There is also a swimming pool on the property.

The peaceful chapel looks out onto the breaking waves of the Indian Ocean. There are many spacious and private places to pray on the property. Sit and watch the waves from the deck or take a stroll in the village.

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Delicious meals are prepared by a well-trained cook.

Date: 3 -12 September 2021

Cost: R12,000 (includes accommodation and all meals, excludes travel)

Partial Bursaries available on application

For more information and to book contact Margaret retreats@jesuitinstitute.org.za

Covid Protocols will be adhered to.