Today we read John 6 – The Bread of Life discourse of our Lord.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6&version=NRSVCE
It’s hard to believe, even unfathomable for me to think that 70-75% of Catholics and no Protestants believe what Jesus said in these words. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”” John 6:51
Until Calvin and Luther, 100% of the Church of Jesus Christ – the only Church – the Catholic Church, believed that Jesus was talking of the Eucharist. They all believed enough that for centuries, they were willing to die in the belief. Now with so many, it’s just a cookie.
When I look at this situation, I want to cry for these people. Jesus Christ has given us the greatest gift, Himself. In the Eucharist, we receive all of Jesus, ALL – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. This is the greatest treasure ever in all creation. It makes the pearl in the field and all the gold and winning Powerball tickets like chaff.
Jesus was adamant of this teaching – so much so that He let all those followers – hundred or more – walk away because they couldn’t understand. So much so that He was willing to let the disciples walk away. He was so strong in the truth of the Eucharist, that He allowed all but the most true through history to walk away.
But, we who believe and beg for the Eucharist abide in Jesus fully and have eternal life.
“Amen, Amen, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.” John 6:53-56
What about you? Do you find this teaching difficult? Will you go too?