Good Morning,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday, August 25, 2024.
In my sermon for this Sunday, we explore the final section of John 6, where Jesus invites us to make a daily choice to follow him. We’ll reflect on the significance of abiding in Christ, the challenges of living out our faith, and the importance of carrying our faith with us each day, just like the other essential tools we use in our daily lives.
Today’s Opening Sentence
Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. – John 6:68
Today’s Reading – John 6:56-69
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”1
Your Online Message and Prayers
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Reflection questions for the week:
- What daily choices am I making that reflect my commitment to following Jesus? How can I ensure that my faith guides my decisions, both big and small?
- In what ways do I “abide” in Christ throughout my everyday life? How can I deepen this connection and make it more central to who I am?
- What ‘tools’ do I carry with me – like kindness, patience, and love – that help me live out my faith? Are there any tools I need to ‘pack’ more consistently in my daily life?
- When faced with challenges or temptations to walk away, how do I remind myself of Peter’s confession: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life”?
A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
Find out how you can support our ministry and good work in the community here.
God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d Canon Rob Park
- Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.