>>In the gospel today, we hear Peter’s confession of faith. “To whom shall we go. You have the words of eternal life.”

It’s a great question. If we’re not with Jesus as disciples, to whom shall we go? F. Scott Peck who is a famous author of the book: The Road Less Traveled says in his book – the three first words, in fact, in his book are: life is difficult.

He says, “life is difficult.” And it’s true. It names a reality that all of us experience. All of us have difficulties in life.

He goes on to say that life has its joy. It has its moments of gratification and consolation, but for all of us at some point life is difficult.

As I read the gospel, I thought of another gospel; Marks’ gospel. And I thought of the passion to the Lord in the garden. When the author, Mark, has a passage about a young man dressed in nothing but a linen cloth. And as Jesus is being arrested the young man drops his linen cloth and runs naked into the night.

John, Mark – Mark is talking about himself. That he drops out of fear and runs from the Lord. He’s also talking about the experience in the early church, when members experienced persecution many of them left the church and went away from the Lord.

Something very similar is happening in the gospel today. There’s teachings that the Lord gives, that some cannot understand and they become frightened. And they don’t want to follow any longer. And they simply walk away.

And Jesus says to His disciples, “And you? Do you too, want to leave?”

And once again, Peter says in that beautiful confession of faith, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.”

We believe that as disciples of the Lord.