Eat and Live

Scripture/Bible: Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. 65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." 66 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. 67 Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."  John 6:60-70

Reflection:  Indeed, they have heard his many hard sayings before, but none was as hard to believe as this; eating his body and drinking his blood.  

The hard saying arose because of a dour situation. Humanity was in need of a savior to escape the viciousness of the powers and pulls of death on account of the reign of sin.(Rm. 7:14ff)

The fear of death brings with it its own moral decadence. Life is short and needs to be enjoyed at whatever cost. One has to create a name and thus seek power and glory and create a name so as to live in the hearts of people or family for eternity. Lies and deception are options for self protection and survival, therefore loot steel, rob, murder, etc etc.

To love means to please where convenient and kill either by words or action when the other is a threat to our aspirations and existence. 

The hard saying of Jesus, flowing from his hard decision to save mankind, is the perfect statement he has made. Thus he gives life to mortal bodies and makes them immortal.

He does this by offering his body and blood as a ransom for the life of the world and this cannot be compromised.

How is this actualized in our midst? Just as the incarnate and eternal word became man and dwelt amongst us, likewise he has given the Church the authority to speak the word that is able to actualize the Holy presence as Body and Blood, soul and divinity of our dearly beloved Lord.


As alter Christus (another Christ), the priest speaks to the bread and wine. 

Prayer: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."

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