“When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you?” John 6:60-61
“Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”” John 6:66-67
Jesus had a large crowd and many followers when He gave His ‘Bread of Life Discourse’, speaking about eating His Body and drinking His Blood. While He spoke many argued and looked to run away. So, of course, He backed off this teaching and explained it in a more polite way. Absolutely not, He further confirmed, even more strongly that if you do not eat His body and drink His blood you have no life in you. And all but the 12 left. He even had to turn on those twelve to see if they were leaving too.
“So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, 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
For 1,500 years the teachings on the Eucharist being the full Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ and being a necessity for obtaining eternal life were indisputable and undisputed by any Catholic. Now, few in the world believe and even a small percentage of Catholics believe this any longer.
But, Jesus affirmed this teaching so strongly He let followers walk away instead of trying to explain. His explanation was affirmation – “I am the bread of life” v35 – “I am the bread that came down from heaven” v41 – “Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life” v47-48 – “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” v51 – “Very truly, 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” v53-56 – “so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven” v57-58
Today, Jesus gives the Catholic Church and the world the same dialogue, “eat of My flesh and drink of My blood and live forever – otherwise, you will perish like those in the desert.” So many don’t believe the teaching of the Eucharist and wee see they hunger and thirst. These famished and parched souls ache and try to satisfy this emptiness within by filling it with the world’s ‘gifts’ – Satan’s gifts. This is the greatest victory of the enemy – not abortion, sodomy, hate, pornography and addictions – though these are horrible sins, the greatest is the lack of belief in Jesus in the Eucharist.
Seek Him within the Catholic Church. Find Him always present with the tabernacle and holy sacrifice of the Mass. This is the source and summit of not only our Catholic faith but of our very lives. Without this food and drink that is the fully presence of Jesus, we have no life within us. We cannot truly know His Divine Mercy without the Eucharist.
Do you believe? If you do, the Eucharistic Revival starts with you. If not, comment or message me..we’ll talk and I’ll try to help you find the way to this magnificent banquet.
Everything begins with the Eucharist!