Reflection on the Gospel of the Nineteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time
John 6:41-51
This is a NO COMPROMISE teaching from Jesus. He does not speak figuratively when we were taught that Jesus alone is the Bread of Life i.e. we receive life when we eat the bread (Jesus’ flesh) and drink his blood. The Jews in his audience would not have been scandalized and outraged by a mere symbol. Besides, if they had misunderstood Jesus to be speaking literally-when he meant his words to be taken figuratively – he could have easily clarified his points, since many disciples stopped following Jesus because of this particular teaching (v 60), he would have been morally obliged to explain the saying in purely symbolic terms. Jesus was willing to give up his beloved 12 disciples too – He asks them do you also want to leave me? – But Jesus was not willing to compromise about His followers eating his body and drinking his blood to gain eternal life.
