Today’s Gospel reading is John 6:52-59. While much of the Bread of Life discourse up to now has sounded somewhat metaphoric, Jesus gets to the meat of the matter today. (Pun intended.)
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink…the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” Pretty graphic language, eh? Even though people were repulsed by this, Jesus pressed on. Why? Because He knew exactly what He was talking about – the Eucharist.
Here we are nearly 2000 years later, and you and I have the opportunity to feed on Jesus. It's unfortunate that even many Catholics believe the host is simply a symbolic representation of the Jesus' Body and Blood. This is wrong! When we receive the Body of Christ, we are not receiving in some metaphoric or symbolic way. We truly eat His Flesh and drink His Blood. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus meant what He said, and said what He meant.
Father, we thank you for giving us the privilege of feeding on Jesus. Help us to be ever grateful for and mindful of the Eucharist. Amen.
Could you explain the Eucharist in a minute? You can with the help of A Minute in the Church, available at www.GusLloyd.com.
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