Gospel: Jn 6:52-59
The Jews were arguing among themselves, “How can this man give us his
flesh to eat?” So Jesus replied, “Truly, I say to you, if you do not eat the flesh of the
Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. The one who eats my
flesh and drinks my blood have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. My flesh is really
food, and my blood is truly drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me, and I in
them. Just as the Father, who is life, sent me, and I have life from the Father, so whoever eats me
will have life from me. This is the bread from heaven; not like that of your ancestors, who ate and
later died. Those who eat this bread will live forever.” Jesus spoke in this way inCapernaum when
he taught them in the synagogue.
Reflection:
The literal minded will always misunderstand the teachings geared for
the health of the spirit. For spiritual language is more often than not, symbolic.
It is creative discourse. You need spiritual aesthetics to relish its full import.
Thus the Jews misunderstands the language of Jesus. They think in a simple
and elementary way. The flesh for them is human flesh. While Jesus’ words
will later find meaning in the Eucharistic banquet. Thus arguments pile up.
Resistance grows until disagreement becomes violent. Jesus knows that it
is a futile battle. It is a waste of energy. But He goes on anyway. His fidelity to His
mission is not dependent on public opinion but on His love for the Father who
commands Him.
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