When we remain in Jesus and he in us, his word is heard, accepted and acted upon as a word leading to a greater perfection and union.

 

There were some disciples of Jesus who walked and remained with him until his word became too much for them to accept. They never had an intimate union with him, though they had a personal encounter with him. This personal encounter was merely the first step to a potential, deeper relationship.

 

 

Merely walking with Jesus as a disciple is not enough. We have to accept, believe and commit our lives unreservedly to him. Just walking with Jesus leaves us free to leave him at any point in which we become uncomfortable, especially when he asks us to do something that involves total surrender of our lives to him; to totally trust in his word without understanding, simply because of who he is.

 

Recall the separation of some of his disciples from him over his teaching about the Eucharist. What was the word of Jesus that some of his walking-with-him-disciples could not embrace but brought separation between them?  “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:57).  “After this, many of his disciples went back, and they no longer walked with him” (John 6:67).

 

Peter gave the response that each of us needs to make every day. “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we have believed, and we recognize that you are the Christ, the Son of God” (John 6:69-70).  Not only do we want to encounter you and walk with Jesus as a disciple, but we want to embrace him in his full identity.