The scandalous words of Jesus strike the Jews. John in his Gospel
defines Jews as those opposed to Jesus. It was the group made up of
Pharisees, Sadducees, and Levites who love to provoke Jesus so that they
can accuse Him with His own words. Just saying that He had come down
from Heaven was already a dangerous assertion, but to add to that the
metaphorical bread of which He speaks as His own body is way beyond
acceptance. Here we arrive at the climax of the hardness of the
conflict with the Jews and the demands of the words of Jesus.
Jesus proposes a relationship that does not accept falsehood but one
that compromises itself. The word ‘compromise’ in many languages does
not have primarily negative connotations. It is not synonymous with
denial, or with facile conciliation. It means involvement, a
responsibility that touches us personally, in our body, our mind, our
heart, our time, our possessions, and our places. It is the content of
the new covenant. It does not unload onto animal sacrifices the
commitment of reciprocal love that ties God and His creatures. The
sacrifice is spiritual. The body offered is that of Jesus and then in
Him, all believers who offer themselves to God in this way and are
pleasing to Him.
Today in my pause for silent contemplation, I will ponder this great
mystery of the Eucharist in which I truly ‘eat’ my Lord who has given
Himself for me, and I will renew my belief in Jesus’ words.
"Lord, I receive You in the Eucharist with much love and I want to be always more like You and in You."
De Mattei: Attack on the Priesthood, Attack on the Eucharist
21 minutes ago
