For the past three Sundays, we have been reading from John 6, the Bread of Life discourse. John 6 begins with Jesus feeding the multitude. Then it moves to Capernaum, where Jesus speaks again and again about eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood.
After Jesus talked about eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood, many of the people were upset. They figured he was some nut job talking about cannibalism. So what happened? “As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him.” Did Jesus call them back? Did He try to clear up some terrible misunderstanding? Nope. He turned to the Twelve and asked them, “Do you also want to leave?” And Peter answers, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
This notion of eating Jesus’ Flesh and drinking His Blood was repulsive to many. But the Twelve figured that Jesus must have a plan, a purpose, a way to fulfill his teaching. And, of course, He did. Still does. It is the Eucharist. The Bread of Life. His Body and Blood. So that all who eat and drink, for all time, might have eternal life.
Father, thank you for the gift of the Eucharist. Deepen our faith and understanding, that we may share this greatest gift of all with others. Amen.
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