Saint of the Day
St. Francis de Sales
Francis de Sales (1567–1622) was Bishop of Geneva and a Doctor of the Church, renowned for his gentle approach to evangelism and spiritual direction. Born into the nobility of Savoy, he risked his life to evangelize the Calvinist Chablais region, eventually bringing thousands back to Catholicism through patient persuasion rather than coercion. His Introduction to the Devout Life remains a spiritual classic, arguing that holiness is not only for monks and nuns but for people in every walk of life. He is patron of journalists, writers, and the deaf.
Scripture Reading
John 6:67-69
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God."
Reflection
Many had walked away when the teaching became difficult. Jesus turned to his twelve and offered them the same freedom to leave. Peter's response is one of the most profound confessions in the Gospels — not triumphant certainty but honest, tested commitment: "to whom shall we go?" He had looked at the alternatives and found them empty. Sometimes fidelity is not a feeling but a conclusion: there is nowhere better to go.
Prayer for Today
Dear Lord Jesus, meditating on this passage this morning is like revisiting an old friend. I memorized this verse over forty years ago, yet I feel like I'm still very much a neophyte in grasping the wonder and implications of eternal life. As you first uttered these words in a prayer for your disciples, I find great joy in knowing that you continue to pray them for usfor me.
How I praise you that eternal life is so much more than simply living forever in your presence, though I so look forward to that. It's about knowing God, in the most intimate sense imaginable, knowing the LORD as my Father and knowing you, the sent one, as the Messiah and Savior, our righteousness and holiness, our faithful Advocate and heavenly bridegroom.
It's not merely knowing about you, though there is so much more I do want to know about you; rather it's a life knowing you better and better and better; and the power of your resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in your sufferings (Phil. 3:10) Even more profoundly, it's a life of being known by you (Gal. 4:9) with no fear of rejection or shame; no need to pose or pretend, no inclination to hide or run, no standing back, just a rich standing in grace.
Holy Spirit, I cannot know the Father and Son apart from your work. Keep gossiping the gospel to my heart. Keep me hungry for the knowledge of God. Don't let lesser breads satisfy this craving. Don't let lesser waters slake this eternal thirst. Don't let me confuse information with intimacy.
Keep revealing more and more of Jesus to me. Humble me with his glory. Astonish me with his beauty. Mesmerize me with his mercy. Buckle my knees with his affections. Change me by his grace. Empower me with his victory. Free me for the advancement of his kingdom; for indeed, the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action (Dan. 11:32). So very Amen I pray in Jesus' all-consuming name.
How I praise you that eternal life is so much more than simply living forever in your presence, though I so look forward to that. It's about knowing God, in the most intimate sense imaginable, knowing the LORD as my Father and knowing you, the sent one, as the Messiah and Savior, our righteousness and holiness, our faithful Advocate and heavenly bridegroom.
It's not merely knowing about you, though there is so much more I do want to know about you; rather it's a life knowing you better and better and better; and the power of your resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in your sufferings (Phil. 3:10) Even more profoundly, it's a life of being known by you (Gal. 4:9) with no fear of rejection or shame; no need to pose or pretend, no inclination to hide or run, no standing back, just a rich standing in grace.
Holy Spirit, I cannot know the Father and Son apart from your work. Keep gossiping the gospel to my heart. Keep me hungry for the knowledge of God. Don't let lesser breads satisfy this craving. Don't let lesser waters slake this eternal thirst. Don't let me confuse information with intimacy.
Keep revealing more and more of Jesus to me. Humble me with his glory. Astonish me with his beauty. Mesmerize me with his mercy. Buckle my knees with his affections. Change me by his grace. Empower me with his victory. Free me for the advancement of his kingdom; for indeed, the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action (Dan. 11:32). So very Amen I pray in Jesus' all-consuming name.
Amen.