Friday 23 April 2021 - Third week of Paschal Time - Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him, says the Lord - Gospel of Saint John 6, 52-59

We are almost at the end of the discourse on the bread of life. In this passage begins the most controversial part, and the Jews withdraw into themselves and begin to argue over Jesus' claims. They did not understand the words of Jesus: Truly, truly I say it to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you will not have life. in you (Jn 6,53), because they take them literally. Flesh and blood express life and the total gift of oneself.

The word of Jesus scandalizes the Jews because the Law of the Old Testament, out of respect for life, forbids eating blood (Dt 12:16, 23; Acts 15, 29). Blood was the sign of life. But Jesus wants to transmit another important message because to drink his blood means to assimilate the same way of life which marked the life of Jesus. Thus, by participating in the Eucharistic banquet, we assimilate the life of Jesus Christ, the gift of oneself.

Participation in the Eucharist evokes a mystical dimension. This dimension is explained by Saint Paul in his letter to the Galatians: if I live, it is no longer I who live, it is Christ who lives in me (Gal 2, 20) and of the Apocalypse: Behold, I am stand at the door, and I knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, I will sup with him, and he with me (Rev. 3,20); If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him; we will come to him, and we will make our home with him. (Jn 14,23)

Understanding Jesus, Bread of Life is not easy, but we need to read his Words in the Church. We also need to assimilate ourselves with Jesus Christ, this is part of the grace of God and above all to maintain the desire to unite with Him our Savior and our God. Let us therefore ask God for this grace and this ardent desire to be with Him.