We are a joyful community of disciples proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
“Because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
(John 6:38)
Your Will, Not Mine
In this Gospel passage, the “Bread of Life Discourse,” we come to know that Jesus is our spiritual nourishment that will lead us to eternal life, if only we believe. Unlike other foods that we eat that only give us temporary nourishment, His Body, His Blood is what we need to sustain ourselves for a lifetime, the lasting fulfillment that we need.
As I meditated deeper on this passage though, as beautiful as it is, the line, “because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me” struck a cord with me. Jesus, fully human, still understood that it was His Father’s will, not his own, that should be fully believed in, fully understood, fully adhered to. If our Lord believes that deeply in His Father’s love, why do you and I sometimes not feel the same way?
As I meditated deeper on this passage though, as beautiful as it is, the line, “because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me” struck a cord with me. Jesus, fully human, still understood that it was His Father’s will, not his own, that should be fully believed in, fully understood, fully adhered to. If our Lord believes that deeply in His Father’s love, why do you and I sometimes not feel the same way?
I believe it is because we want what we want, when we want it and I am certainly guilty of that.
Many years ago, when I lost my job, I was angry with God because one, how could this happen to me and two, why hasn’t He answered my prayers for a new job. Well, it was because I was thinking as people do and not as God does. I needed, I should say, wanted, things my way when I wanted them. I found work shortly thereafter but then it happened again, I lost my job. This time though, what I had learned during my first job loss, is that it is His will and in His time. The deeper I believed in Him and built my relationship with Him, the easier it was for me to leave it at the foot of His cross. I placed all my trust in Him as He did with His Heavenly Father.
Jesus says that those who "come to me" and "believe in me" will never be hungry or thirsty. This suggests that faith is not just an intellectual assent to His teachings, but also a personal trust and reliance on Him. God's love and salvation are ultimately available to all, if only we follow His will and not our own.
Many years ago, when I lost my job, I was angry with God because one, how could this happen to me and two, why hasn’t He answered my prayers for a new job. Well, it was because I was thinking as people do and not as God does. I needed, I should say, wanted, things my way when I wanted them. I found work shortly thereafter but then it happened again, I lost my job. This time though, what I had learned during my first job loss, is that it is His will and in His time. The deeper I believed in Him and built my relationship with Him, the easier it was for me to leave it at the foot of His cross. I placed all my trust in Him as He did with His Heavenly Father.
Jesus says that those who "come to me" and "believe in me" will never be hungry or thirsty. This suggests that faith is not just an intellectual assent to His teachings, but also a personal trust and reliance on Him. God's love and salvation are ultimately available to all, if only we follow His will and not our own.
Is your relationship with the Lord one of convenience or one of ultimate faith and trust?
Heavenly Father, grant me the courage to leave it all at the foot of your cross and believe your will for me is all that I need. Amen.
Reflection by:
Deacon Mike Ryba was called to further share the love and mercy of Jesus Christ when he entered Diaconate Formation for the Diocese of Joliet, IL in 2011. In 2016 he was ordained a Permanent Deacon. Up through 2022, he worked in IT for 40 years in a variety of industries, the last 30 years in management. He has since taken on a pastoral position as Director of Parish Life at St. Timothy's in Lutz. He was born and raised in the Chicagoland area and that is where he met his wife, Lisa. They have been married for 35 years and have 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 grandpups. They relocated, for the second time, to the Tampa area in 2018. He is an avid sports fan and although he still follows his Chicago teams, he now cheers on the teams of “ChampaBay;” especially the Lightning as that is his favorite sport to play and to watch. Go Bolts!