Trust

​    In today's Gospel reading, we hear people responding to Jesus, saying "this teaching is difficult"  And they ask "who can accept it?"  And they are complaining.  And offended at Jesus, especially over his words that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood.  And so many turned away from Jesus and no longer believed in HIm or followed him,
    I can appreciate the complaints of these people, because I have my own complaints, things that I don't understand and am confused about, and seem just too hard to accept.
    For example: 
Why doesn't Jesus explain things in a simpler way, so that all of us can understand it?
Why isn't God visible to us, like He was to the people of the ancient times of the Bible?
Why does God allow sin to ruin people's lives?  Why does he allow people to be addicted to all kinds of bad stuff?  
Why doesn't God stop wars that kill so many innocent people?
Why does God allow children to be exploited, and to starve to death?
Why doesn't God heal all people, and not just those few who met Jesus when He walked the earth?
Why is Jesus taking so long to end this world of suffering?
 
(And I'm sure that you can add to that list of questions?  I know I can!)
 
And how does God answer these questions?  If we look at today's Gospel reading, we hear Jesus' response:  "It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life....no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father."
 
In other words, we are not going to understand all that Jesus tells us by our own abilities.  It will take the Holy Spirit to give us the faith and understanding.  And even then, we may not understand everything; but we'll be able to trust in God and follow Him.
 
As Peter said, "Lord, to whom can we go?  You have the words of eternal life."   So you and I can join Peter, and others, who have nowhere else to go.  For only in God's grace and mercy through His Son, Jesus, do we have eternal life!  So go ahead, and join me in complaints and confusion and lack of understanding.  Just trust in God
 
As Proverbs 3:5-6 promises:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  And do not rely on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."