Gospel: John 6:52-59
The Jews were arguing among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus replied, “Truly, I say to you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.My flesh is really food, and my blood is truly drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me, and I in them. Just as the Father, who is life, sent me, and I have life from the Father, so whoever eats me will have life from me. This is the bread from heaven; not like that of your ancestors, who ate and later died. Those who eat this bread will live forever.”Jesus spoke in this way in Capernaum when he taught them in the synagogue.

Reflections

“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me, and I in them.”Jesus’ offer of himself as the flesh to eat provokes reactions from the audience. It is an unusual, if not a weird offer. Never in the history of the Jewish people that a spiritual leader offers himself to be eaten. Yet Jesus is emphatic on their receiving him that they may gain eternal life.Christians have not had any difficulty in accepting Jesus’ of- fer. They understand it in the context of the Holy Eucharist which is celebrated everyday in the churches or oratories. For Christians, especially devout Catholics, reception of the Eucharist is a welcome idea. It cannot be compromised. They receive it everyday whenever possible. The Church teaches that all efforts, all social works, all catechisms and instructions in the church should lead to the reception of this sacrament. Christian identity considers reception of Holy Communion as the peak expression of total conversion to Christ and his Church, called fullness of Christian life.Those who understand the meaning of the Eucharist can show more life, love and compassion to others.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019