Word to the Wise
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 - 3rd Week of Easter - Wed
[Acts 8:1b-8 and John 6:35-40]"And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day." [John]
The Gospel According to John tends to cram a lot of theology into all the "discourses" that are a feature of Jesus' "signs." The Bread of Life discourse that follows the multiplication of the loaves and fishes is no exception. Into the context of Jesus' statement that he is "the bread of life" the evangelist also includes the impact of faith in Jesus as the source of eternal life and that he will raise those who believe in him on the last day. However, this will expand tomorrow [Thursday] into eternal life while one is still alive, what scripture scholars and theologians call "realized eschatology." Jesus promises that he will not allow anyone who believes in him to perish. In the discourse at the Last Supper, he will return to this theme and speak of his disciples as the Father's gift to him. [John 17:24]
The discourse is moving toward the depth of the gift that Jesus is giving not simply on the level of eternal life, which may seem somewhat intangible, but on the level of his Body and Blood, which are quite tangible in the Eucharist. Again, it is a step by step presentation that demands faith in the words of the gospel as presented to us by the evangelist John. Stay tuned! AMEN