Faith Through Action — Your Weekly Reflection from CMMB
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In today’s Gospel, we read the conclusion of the “Bread of Life” discourse.
Since we began, we’ve learned about Jesus’ interactions with the crowds. Throughout these interactions, John has emphasized a fundamental belief in our faith: Jesus as the Bread of Life and as our salvation.
Our reading today is directed at the disciples and focuses on the choice we have as people to believe or reject Jesus.
The Gospel begins as the crowds around Jesus have thinned to only a gathering of disciples. To them, Jesus has just declared himself the source of eternal life.
In response, the disciples said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it.” Jesus is not surprised. In fact, John reveals that Jesus knows exactly who will follow him and who will not. God has already chosen them.
So, unable to accept Jesus’ words, the disciples began to leave until only 12 remained.
It’s here, after the crowd has left, that Simon Peter declares the faith of the twelve. He says, “Master, 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.”
Just like the disciples, we all have the choice to believe in Jesus and accept our salvation through him. But believing in Jesus requires more than just a proclamation of belief. It requires actions of faith that bring us beyond the church walls. Action is not the source of our faith, but a condition of it. This is the role we accept as believers.
There are many ways we show our faith in Jesus. But one of the most powerful ways is by supporting others, especially in times of need.
Haiti has long experienced great need. And CMMB has long responded. But today, in the wake of yet another devastating Earthquake, support has never been more vital.
This is far from the first natural disaster to strike Haiti. Our Medical Donations Program has been instrumental in responding to disasters in the country, including the 2010, 7.0 earthquake that killed an estimated 220,000 people.
The earthquake that struck roughly a week ago rocked the impoverished country at a magnitude of 7.2, and its devastation is already being compared to what occurred just over a decade ago.
While we are thankful that everyone on CMMB’s Haiti-based team is safe, hundreds of Haitians suffer. Moments like these test our faith. But time and time again we come out of them as a stronger, more unified community. We encourage you to learn about our long history serving the people of Haiti, including an impactful, ongoing initiative born out of the destruction caused by the 2010 earthquake.
Today we have a choice to make.
At CMMB, the choice is clear. We’re committed to doing everything we can to provide emergency relief to the people of Haiti. We, and the people affected by this horrific event, ask that you do the same. Visit our website by clicking here to learn how you can help.
In grace and peace,
CMMB