The Gospel of John denotes the high Christology of Jesus Christ as John’s Gospel, more than any other, tells us who Jesus Christ is: the Son of God, the Word made flesh. He who was, is and shall ever be.

Jesus tells those following Him that His words are truth, and they are difficult—difficult indeed, for they speak to what is righteous versus what is “good,” and to what is truth, rather than what is “convenient” or “easy.” Someone told me this past week that their child had once asked them, “why is it that what is right is also always so difficult to do?” There is a lot packed into that question.

After Jesus’ disciples heard what they had to do to be His disciples, many left Him and “returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied Him.” To be a Christian was—and is—difficult. There are standards, expectations, and morals to adhere to. Without spiritual fortitude it is difficult to stand with the truth when family and friends do not. Like the disciples before us, it is easier to just continue down the easy path, go along with the crowd, or do what you’ve done before…“and if you do what you always did, you’ll get what you always got” as they say.

Many Catholics are faced with the same circumstances today. Christian life is difficult. Old values that stood the test of time are now considered outdated at the least, and by some now in our society even as bigotry. Many believe that to disagree with someone means that you re-fuse to “compromise” (as if it were even possible to compromise on one’s core principles) – rather what they are asking you to do is “acquiesce” what you believe so that their “opinion” is now an equal alternative. Today, as Catholics, we need to consider if we truly believe Christ Jesus to be the Son of God, and if He is, then what He taught must be Truth, and if something is true it cannot become “untrue” simply because a majority—or even a vocal minority—claim it to be. And if something is true and comes from God, we as individuals must either accept or reject it, allowing the consequences of our actions to be born. Our personal wishes or wants cannot change reality (vocatus atoque non vocatus dues aderit / called or not called, God is present). And then the words of Jesus to Simon Peter, “Do you want to leave too?” and Simon Peter’s response, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God” will be clear. Today we must ask ourselves: do we believe? And then we must act accordingly.