Several decades ago in the United States there was a TV game show called Truth or Consequences. The premise was that a contestant was given a question to answer and if they answered correctly they got a prize but if they answered incorrectly they were made to face some embarrassing stunt in order to be rewarded. They either spoke the truth or had to face the consequences. It is a conundrum we all face at one time or another.
About a year or so ago our pastor caught everyone by surprise when he gave a homily on a controversial topic. Actually, at the time, most of us in the congregation did not really even know that it was a controversial topic. That is, until the consequences of the talk began to become obvious.
The homily centered on the topic of IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization. For those of you who may not be familiar with IVF, it is a procedure designed to assist couples who are having difficulty conceiving a baby. The process involves collecting eggs from a woman, placing them in a solution in a dish then fertilizing the eggs with a man’s sperm. The fertilized eggs are then implanted surgically into the uterus of the same woman with the hope that at least some of the eggs implant in the uterus and can be carried to term.
There are a couple concerns with IVF from the Church’s position. One is that the procedure dissociates the act of intercourse from procreation. It moves conception from an act of the union of two people committed to each other and God’s will to a laboratory based process.
The other objection is that because multiple fertilized embryos can be implanted into the uterus, often a number which cannot be safely carried to term, it is necessary to destroy one or more of the embryos. Directly opposing the right to life of each of these new lives.
Our pastor’s words prompted a large backlash in the parish resulting in many families leaving the parish and creating division even among those who elected to remain. The reverberations still persist today.
In today’s Gospel from John, Jesus has just challenged his disciples with some words that caught them way off guard. He just told them that for them to have eternal life they must eat his flesh and drink his blood. Do what?!! Seriously?! Don’t forget that up to this point, Jesus had become a rock star. He fed the 5,000, he cured the lame, the blind and the deaf. Leprosy was no match for him and neither was death. He rose Lazarus and Jarius’ daughter back to life. His followers were growing in leaps and bounds.
But then, in the face of such popularity, he stops it all in its tracks. He essentially is telling them they must be cannibals. As well as telling Jews, who have a prohibition against consuming blood of animals, that they must turn their backs on Mosaic law. So, as can be expected, many if not most of his disciples turn and walk away from the Lord. They just can’t accept this teaching. This isn’t the feel good Jesus they had come to know and follow.
And what does Jesus do? Does he get their attention and say, “No, wait. I was just speaking symbolically. Not literally. Come on back. I can do the whole water into wine thing again for you.” Nope. He allows them to go. Then he turns to the twelve and asks them if they want to leave too. Peter steps up to the plate and tells Jesus what he had longed to hear. Peter affirms the apostles’ belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He has the words of eternal life. Quality in place of Quantity.
And this is what we are called to do. To be Jesus’ mouthpiece to the world. It means at times we will be admired for the love we spread in His name. But it also means that there will be times when the world will not like the message we convey. The truth often is in direct opposition to the idea of only speaking if our words create positive, “feel good” emotions. It will mean creating division. As it says in Hebrews 4:12:
For the word of God is living and active. and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. \
When we, as disciples of Christ, hear the truth being spoken will we walk away and run back to the world. Or do we say “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
