As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former
way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the
Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” John 6:66–67
Today’s Gospel concludes the beautiful and profound sermon on the
Bread of Life (see John 6:22–71). When you read this sermon from
beginning to end, it is noticeable that Jesus moves from more
general statements about the Bread of Life that are easier to
accept to more specific statements that are challenging. He
concludes His teaching just prior to today’s Gospel by saying very
directly, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me
and I in him.” After Jesus said this, many who had been listening
to Him left Him and no longer followed Him.
There are generally three common attitudes people have toward the
Most Holy Eucharist. One attitude is that of profound faith.
Another is that of indifference. And a third is what we find in
today’s Gospel: disbelief. Those who walked away from Jesus in
today’s Gospel did so because they said, “This saying is hard; who
can accept it?” What a great statement and question to
ponder.
It is true, in a certain way, that the teaching of Jesus on the
Most Holy Eucharist is a hard saying. “Hard,” however, is not bad.
It’s hard in the sense that belief in the Eucharist is only
possible through a faith that comes from a deep interior revelation
from God. In the case of those who walked away from Jesus, they
heard His teaching, but their hearts were closed to the gift of
faith. They remained stuck on a purely intellectual level, and,
thus, the idea of eating the Flesh and Blood of the Son of God was
more than they could comprehend. So who could accept such a
statement? Only those who listen to our Lord as He speaks to them
interiorly. It is only that interior conviction that comes from God
that can be proof of the truthfulness of the Holy Eucharist.
Do you believe that when you consume that which appears to be only
“bread and wine,” you are actually consuming Christ Himself? Do you
understand this teaching of our Lord on the Bread of Life? It is a
hard saying and a difficult teaching, which is why it must be taken
very seriously. For those who do not flat out reject this teaching,
there is also the temptation to be somewhat indifferent to the
teaching. It can easily be misunderstood to be just symbolism in
the way our Lord talks. But the symbolism is much more than just
symbolism. It’s a profound, challenging, and life-changing teaching
of how we share in the divine and eternal life our Lord wishes to
bestow upon us.
Reflect, today, upon how deeply you believe this hard saying of
Jesus. The fact that it is a “hard” saying should make you
seriously examine your own faith or lack thereof. What Jesus
teaches is life-changing. It’s life-giving. And when clearly
understood, you will be challenged to either believe with your
whole heart or turn away in disbelief. Allow yourself to believe in
the Most Holy Eucharist with your whole heart and you will find
that you are believing one of the most profound Mysteries of
Faith.
My glorious Lord, Your teaching on the Most Holy Eucharist is
beyond human comprehension. It is a mystery so deep that we will
never fully understand this precious gift. Open my eyes, dear Lord,
and speak to my mind so that I may listen to Your words and respond
with the deepest faith. Jesus, I trust in You.
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Featured image above: Ordaining of the Twelve Apostles By James
Tissot, via Wikimedia Commons
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