In this gospel reading we, first of all, hear the response of the people, who looked to recruit Jesus as their worldly king, to his messianic claim: "I am the bread that came down from heaven." (Jn 6: 42) Previously they had asked for a sign that would prove that Jesus was able to verify his statements (Jn 6: 30). Yet, he had been healing, multiplying food and walking on water! What else did they want? Jesus had already told them that they were not really looking for signs rather that he had been able to provide them with bread (Jn 6: 26) As a result, his accusers change tack and deride him for what they perceive as his lowly birth in Nazareth. They simply cannot accept that the Messiah would come from somewhere so ordinary. In other words, they are scandalized by the Incarnation. Instead of backing off or placating the crowd, Jesus declares himself to possess a monopoly on the mediation of grace: "Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God." (Jn 6: 46) Applying this Scripture to us today, the challenge is - are we relativists? Do we think that everything is relative and there are many ways to the truth? If we think that then we deny the divinity of Jesus and therefore the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. There is simply no greater sign of God and mediator than Jesus whose whole mission is to lead us to his heavenly Father. As he says later in this gospel: " 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him'" (Jn 14: 6)
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