When was the last time you bragged? Or acted humble? Were either justified? Why?

Let’s face it. We all brag at times. And we all act humble at other times. Sometimes the brag or the humble voice is justified. Parents brag about their children. Leaders exercise direction through quiet service. Both can be appropriate, depending upon the context.

VISUAL SUMMARY ✨

Fr. Conley Bertrand

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION

AUGUSTINE: Despite witnessing my presence and yet failing to comprehend, do not hastily conclude that God’s plan has been thwarted. The faithful will indeed come to recognize and embrace the truth, as affirmed by Jesus Himself: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37, ESV). This divine assurance underlines the unwavering nature of God’s purpose and the promise of salvation for those who seek Him.

BEDE: Jesus’s use of the word “all” is no mere exaggeration; it is an assertion of the totality of individuals who will ultimately embrace belief. Those whom the Father bestows upon the Son are compelled by a concealed, spiritual influence that stirs faith within their hearts, leading them towards a journey of spiritual awakening and acceptance.

ALCUIN: Every individual whom the Father leads towards faith in Jesus will, through that very faith, come to be united with Christ. Those who adhere to Him, treading the path of faith and virtue, shall never be cast out. In the present, they dwell in the sacred space of a guiltless conscience, relishing in their spiritual union with Christ. Ultimately, He will usher them into an everlasting joy that transcends time and earthly existence.

AUGUSTINE: The promised “inner place,” this divine sanctuary wherein one is safeguarded from being “cast out,” is a sacred haven within one’s soul. It is a secluded chamber where spiritual exhaustion ceases, bitter cynicism fades, and the crushing burden of temptation and suffering dissipates. This inner sanctum mirrors the very place Christ refers to in Matthew 25:21, 23, “Enter into the joy of your master,” a realm where true contentment and spiritual repose reign supreme.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION

CHRYSOSTOM: The expression, “the Father gives me,” illuminates that an individual’s faith is not a mere coincidence or the product of human intellect alone. Rather, it necessitates a heavenly revelation and a humble heart capable of receiving such divine insight. However, this does not absolve unbelievers of their responsibility. Those whom the Father does not “give” remain accountable for their choices, as they falter in the one aspect within their control: their willingness to believe. Here, Jesus tenderly admonishes those who reject Him, underscoring that in doing so, they consciously resist the Father’s will.

One might inquire about the apparent contradiction between the notion of the Father giving the kingdom to the Son and Paul’s assertion that Jesus gives the kingdom back to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24). However, this reciprocity does not imply loss or separation. Just as the Father does not forsake those He “gives” to the Son, the Son does not relinquish us when He “presents” us to the Father. The Son’s role in delivering us to the Father is highlighted by the description of Him “giving us up.” Yet, we must also consider that it is the Father who calls us “into the fellowship of His Son” (1 Corinthians 1:9). This dynamic exchange underscores the unity and cooperation between the Father and the Son in the divine plan of salvation.

In this passage, Jesus asserts that anyone who approaches Him shall be saved, attributing this promise to His divine mission: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). However, this statement might raise questions about the unity of will between the Father and the Son.

To address this, Jesus immediately clarifies: “And this is the will of him who sent me, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life” (John 6:40). This clearly demonstrates that the will of the Father and the Son are not distinct; rather, they are perfectly aligned in their shared desire for our salvation. As Jesus previously affirmed, “the Son gives life to whom he will” (John 5:21).

In essence, Jesus communicates that His mission on earth is to carry out the Father’s will, not as a separate entity, but as one whose will is united with the Father’s. While the full revelation of His complete unity with the Father is yet to be disclosed at this point in His ministry, He provides glimpses into their shared purpose and divine harmony.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION

AUGUSTINE: The assurance that Jesus will not cast out anyone who comes to Him is intrinsically linked to His purpose: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). This statement bears great significance as it addresses the core issue that led to humanity’s spiritual estrangement from God.

Pride, being the root cause of our spiritual affliction, is what initially distanced us from God. Conversely, humility serves as the path to restoration and unity with Him. Just as a doctor treating only the symptoms of a disease leaves the patient vulnerable to future illness, addressing pride as the underlying cause of our spiritual malady is crucial for lasting healing.

Jesus’s unwavering commitment to the will of the Father exemplifies the humility required for spiritual restoration. By adhering to this divine will, He models the very remedy to the pride that once severed our connection with God. In doing so, Jesus offers a powerful invitation to partake in this redemptive humility and foster a renewed relationship with the divine.

To rip that root out, the Son of God humbled Himself.

Why persist in pride, therefore, O mortal? Consider the humility demonstrated by the Son of God, who humbled Himself on your behalf. Though you might hesitate to emulate a fellow humble human, let your pride dissolve in the face of a humble God who invites your imitation. Jesus’s declaration, “I came not to do my own will,” stands as a testament to His humility (John 6:38). Pride is characterized by an unwavering insistence on one’s own will, whereas humility is marked by the submission to God’s divine will.

HILARY: Obedience does not imply that Jesus acts against His own desires. Instead, it highlights the perfect alignment between the will of the Father and the Son. Jesus’s fulfillment of the Father’s will is not a reluctant act, but a voluntary expression of His own desire, stemming from the unity of their divine wills. This profound harmony between the Father and Son offers a compelling example of the transformative power of humility in our spiritual lives.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION

AUGUSTINE: In other words, the assurance that “I will not cast him out” is inextricably linked to the humble purpose for which Jesus came: “I came not to do my own will” (John 6:38). His mission embodies humility, serving as a powerful example for all to follow. Those who approach Him become united with Him and, in doing so, embrace humility as a defining trait. By prioritizing God’s will over their own, they secure their place in Him and are not cast out.

The individual who was once cast out due to pride returns to Jesus in humility, marking a transformative shift in their spiritual journey. As long as they maintain this humility, they will not be sent away or stumble from the truth. Humility acts as an anchor, safeguarding their newfound connection to Christ and fostering continued growth in their spiritual lives.

In essence, Jesus invites us to exchange pride for humility, modeling this transformative shift through His own life and mission. By embracing this call to humility and aligning our will with God’s, we are promised a secure place in Him and the transformative power that accompanies such a spiritual rebirth.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION

AUGUSTINE: In accordance with God’s perfect wisdom, there are individuals who, even before their birth, were foreknown and predestined, called, justified, and glorified. These chosen ones are already considered children of God and cannot be lost. Those who genuinely come to Christ are among this chosen group and are granted the gift of perseverance—the ability to maintain their faith until the end. This gift of perseverance is exclusively bestowed upon those who will not succumb to spiritual death. Conversely, those who do not persevere and instead fall away from their faith will ultimately face spiritual demise.

CHRYSOSTOM: When Jesus says “I should lose nothing,” He’s showing them He’s not interested in His own honor; He’s interested in their salvation. This is key. After promising “I will never cast out” and “I should lose nothing,” He says, “but raise it up on the last day.” (John 6:39, ESV). At the time of the general resurrection, those who have led wicked lives will face God’s judgment and be removed from His presence, as referenced in Matthew 22:13, “Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness” and Matthew 10:28, “fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Jesus consistently emphasizes the significance of resurrection to caution us against making judgments about God’s plan based solely on our current circumstances. Instead, He urges us to focus on the hope and vision of the world yet to come, where ultimate justice will prevail.

AUGUSTINE: Do you see how Jesus is describing a two-part resurrection here?

So, “everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him may have eternal life”—this life starts now, by believing, by passing from death to life in that first resurrection. But that’s not the end of the story. He confirms the second resurrection when He promises, “And I will raise him up at the last day.”