RBWords

     In a gospel that is known for its dramatic effects, these words of Jesus stand out!  One can only imagine what the people sitting there would think!  More likely, this passage reflects the understanding of the community at the time of the writing of the gospel, which is later than the other three.  Nevertheless, the meaning is clear and the image is still remarkable.  The first hearers are wondering about cannibalism!  That problem continues to show up from time to time.  In this passage, the contrast between Jesus and the Manna  becomes much more physical.  The familiar device of "misunderstanding" and the themes of eternal life in the present and on the last day, and above/below are used to promote this remarkable preaching.  The Gospel of John does not mention the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.  This matter of faith appears at this earlier point.

     The Eucharist is regarded as the central and most important action of the church.  What happens is not simply symbolic but "real," in that what might be only symbolic to others becomes the reality to us.  The bread and wine that we offer becomes the "flesh and blood" of Christ.  The Council of Trent used a word borrowed from Aristotelean physics, "transubstantiation," as a way of describing the change in the gifts.  Any discussion of other possible ways of describing it would keep me at this keyboard for the rest of my life.  Suffice it to say we accept Jesus' teaching for what it is as a matter of faith and we continue to celebrate the Eucharist - to eat his Body and drink his Blood so that we may HAVE eternal life within us AND be raised on the last day.  This is why "excommunication" is one of the severest penalties to impose in our church.  

     To "receive communion" joins us not only with the person of Jesus but places us in "communion" with the Body of Christ - all the believers around the world.  This is life indeed and to accept it casually and without thinking diminishes our sense of the sacred!  AMEN