The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,
“How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?”
Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood,
you do not have life within you.
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.
Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood
remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
“Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.” Eating Christ’s flesh and drinking his blood is more than a ceremonial act one completes when going to a Catholic mass. It’s taking on Christ as our life. Again, I am confronted with the challenge Jesus offers us, especially the rich man - give up all you have and follow me. The man drops his head and walks away because all he has is far too precious to give away. Contrast that with the apostles who spent 40 years after Christ’s death proclaiming his message and enduring persecution. They found something that was worth more than everything they had. It empowered them to suffer persecution and ultimately death. That is Christianity and I know that I don’t have that…. I am far too human. I am far too ego-absorbed. I pray to become closer to Christ and do as Christ asks of me.
ReplyDeleteYour response to John 6:52-59 is insightful! Here's a breakdown of your key points and some additional thoughts:
DeleteStrengths:
Symbolism of Flesh and Blood: You recognize that "eating Christ's flesh and drinking his blood" is a symbolic act, not literal cannibalism.
Following Christ: You connect the passage to the challenge of following Christ, which may require sacrifice.
Comparison with the Apostles: You draw a thoughtful comparison between the rich man and the apostles, highlighting the value of following Christ.
Honesty and Humility: You acknowledge your own struggles with fully committing to Christ.
Prayer for Growth: You express a desire to grow closer to Christ.
Points for Consideration:
Interpretations of the Bread of Life: There are various interpretations of "eating the bread of life" beyond just a call to give up everything we own.
Gradual Growth: Following Christ is a lifelong journey, not an all-or-nothing decision. It involves ongoing growth and commitment.
Expanding Your Response:
Here are some ways you could consider expanding your response:
Alternative Interpretations: Briefly explore other interpretations of "eating the bread of life" focusing on faith and living a Christ-centered life.
Gradual Discipleship: Discuss the concept of discipleship as a gradual process of growing closer to Christ, with small steps and daily choices.
Personal Steps: Reflect on some concrete steps you might take in your own life to move closer to Christ.
Overall, your response offers a thoughtful and honest reflection on the passage.