The Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian; Our Venerable Father Arsenius the Great.
All-Night Vigil Feast.
Acts 8:26-39; 1 John 1:1-7; John 6:40-44; John 19:25-27; 21:24-25.
Read John 6:40-44
Walter Gretzky was the driving force behind the legendary hockey Hall of Famer known to the world as Wayne Gretzky. His counsel to his son as a child was to train his eye to see where the goalie wasn’t—and shoot the puck there. Though younger, smaller, and physically weaker than his peers, Wayne matured to become the greatest record-breaker in NHL history. He earned a place of distinction in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
But taking a father’s wise counsel wasn’t unique to Wayne. In today’s lesson, we see Jesus Christ focusing His mind’s eye on the will of His Father and proclaiming the centrality of the Resurrection, despite serious obstacles. His youth, poverty, and familiarity bred contempt in the hearts of his own people — they murmured against Him. Still, He persisted. He did not allow attempts to shame, embarrass, or cast aspersions to sideline His mission. Christ replies with no self-defense but simply reiterates the centrality of the Father and the Resurrection.
Thus, we call Jesus Christ the Word of God, the Wisdom of God, and the Teacher. If we follow His example, we can find a model for our own lives—especially when others attempt to shame or sideline us from our God-given purpose. Pay them no heed! Ignore their slander and continue forward with courage and clarity while focusing on our heavenly Father.
Let our response focus on our Father’s plan: that all people do His will. Let our message not waver: believe that Jesus is the Resurrection. When we train our spiritual eye on these truths and respond with grace and conviction, we will not only score the tough goals in life —we will secure a place of excellence far greater than anything the Hockey Hall of Fame could offer.