This month, we’re walking through the Bread of Life Discourse in the gospel of John, which is the key biblical text on the Eucharist. Today Jesus asserts, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world†(John 6:51). Once again, Jesus is questioned.
Notice how in responding to each challenge, Jesus uses stronger and stronger language? Jesus is drawing a hard line – not just with the Jewish leaders who challenge his authority – but with His followers, the people who believe in Him. Jesus is essentially saying, You’re either in or out, right now. Over this. Sadly, since that day in Capernaum on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee 2,000 years ago, many people have walked away from Jesus in the Eucharist.
So, what happened there? Why did people walk away? Would we have walked away, too?
Listen to the full homily:
Excellent!!
I hate to say it, but yes, I probably would have walked away. Thank God I came back.