Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of John 6:37-40
Dear Friends in Christ,
Today’s Gospel offers us an astonishing promise from Jesus: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me… everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”
If you’ve ever feared being left out, or wondered if you’re good enough for God, this Gospel is for you. Here, Jesus is perfectly clear: when you come to him, you are welcomed. The will of his Father is that not one person is lost. Christ came to gather all and reject none.
But how can we draw hope from this in our ordinary, messy lives? It all leads us to the Paschal Mystery—Jesus’ dying and rising. When Jesus hung on the cross, it looked like God’s love had failed. But the resurrection shows us the truth: no darkness, no rejection, no defeat is the end of the story in God’s hands. What Jesus says in this Gospel, he lives out for us—and for each of us, there is new life beyond the grave.
That’s why Saint Augustine could write, “Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence.” Trust is hard sometimes, especially when life is uncertain. Maybe you, like Tom in our story, know what it’s like to pray desperately, feeling empty or lost, struggling with disappointment or fear. But Jesus’ voice breaks through: “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” Whatever you bring to God—fears, doubts, exhaustion—he receives it with compassion.
Finding Hope When It Feels Like All Is Lost: Tom’s Story of Faith and Perseverance
Let me share Tom’s story. Tom always worked hard as a machinist to provide for his wife and two kids. But after an unexpected layoff, weeks became months, and every job application seemed to end in silence. Savings vanished, bills piled up, and every day Tom woke up anxious about how he would care for his family.
He found himself withdrawing—pulling back from friends, from his church, even from his own family as worry and shame set in. Some days, he sat with his head in his hands, whispering, “God, why have you left me? Don’t you see we’re trying?” He felt invisible, overlooked by employers and, sometimes, by God.
One Sunday, nearly at his breaking point, Tom slipped into a back pew at Mass. He barely listened—until the priest read Jesus’ words: “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” For the first time in months, Tom let his guard down and wept. He realized that Christ was not expecting him to have it all together. Jesus was simply inviting him to come as he was, broken and tired.
Tom’s situation didn’t change overnight—rejection and uncertainty remained. But each morning, he made a choice to come to Jesus anyway, sharing his struggles honestly. He opened up to his wife; together they found some peace praying the Rosary after dinner, asking God for trust and patience. Soon, friends from their parish began to offer help—meals appeared at their door, prayerful encouragement arrived in text messages, and even a few job leads trickled in.
Little by little, light began to break through: a neighbor dropped off groceries, his wife’s laughter echoed in the house again, and—before he found a job—Tom realized he was no longer alone. Even as they struggled, hope grew stronger. And when a new job finally did come, Tom understood that his hope was not in outcomes, but in God’s unshakable promise: “I will not lose anything that the Father has given me.”
Tom’s circumstances eventually changed, but more importantly, his heart did. In his need, by trusting Jesus’ promise, he found the courage to keep moving forward. He discovered how the support of faith and community can bring unexpected life and renewal, even during the darkest days.
Living the Promise: Welcoming, Trusting, and Acting with Hope in Christ
So how do we live out this promise of hope? First, open your heart as wide as Jesus does—welcome those around you, show mercy, and never give up on anyone. Second, trust. Let go of needing to control every outcome and place your story in the hands of the God who loves you in every circumstance. Third, act with hope—reconcile, serve, encourage, and forgive. The Holy Spirit will move you toward light, strength, and peace.
Remember this: with Christ, loss is never the end. Every story has a new chapter in God’s hands. Bring him all you carry, and rest in the deep peace that you will never be lost or rejected. Our LORD God who raised Jesus will not let you slip from his grasp.
Saint Thérèse put it perfectly: “Jesus does not demand great actions from us but simply surrender and gratitude.” Come as you are. Hope in his promise. Trust, as a child trusts, that resurrection is for you, too. Go out friends and give thanks and praise and glory to our Father in heaven always and remember to love and serve those around you as Jesus loves us all.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
About Our Guest Blogger
Saint Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
