A Reflection from the Fuel Daily Readings App for the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time. Click here to read the reading.

Popularity, in one way or another, can really define our actions and interactions, especially in our formational years. I remember being in High School and wanting to get these really expensive soccer shoes, they were Nike and fluro green and red and were the must-have boots for aspiring strikers everywhere. I had friends carry me over puddles and I used to clean them when I got home to make sure they were in top condition to show off on the field. Although they were great performing shoes and a trendy thing to own at the time, the major factor in buying them was being representative try-outs the year before and older kids making snide remarks about my cheaper, generic shoes. I had never cared about it before until I was made fun of, shoes were shoes and helped me run faster. In this situation, peer pressure and my vanity pushed me into following the popular option.

In today’s Gospel, there are disciples who are shocked by what Jesus has said about the Eucharist, that they must eat His body and drink His blood. Although this definitely would have been a shocking thing to hear and receive (especially in a culture that had reasons for taking this literally), even after witnessing what Jesus had accomplished in His ministry on Earth they complained and turned away.

Jesus never came to earth to be popular. Our faith isn’t one that panders to what is nice, it looks for what is good, holy and right, even if those truths are uncomfortable in our contexts. Jesus asks if the Apostles want to leave as well and Peter answers with incredible insight; “Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God."

Although I am (often) consumed by earthly ideals such as popularity, I have reached a point in my personal faith in knowing that whatever Jesus asks of me, I will oblige, because I know the goodness and life that His way offers. It can be hard going against the ‘flesh’, but it was never supposed to be easy. Jesus calls us to a higher reality, that of a Spirit-led life. Will you follow Him always, even when it gets hard? I hope I will, with the pursuit of looking to Him always as I continue on this journey of faith, no matter how unpopular it might be.

+ Lord Jesus, give me the strength to follow You always. Remove from me my pride and vanity, help me to seek You alone. Amen