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Daily Meditation: John 6:51-58
The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. (John 6:51)
Today we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. We stand in awe that Jesus makes himself truly and entirely present in the Eucharist. We marvel at the glorious mystery that the Divine Son of God not only became a man and offered himself on the cross but that he also comes to us, Body and Blood, soul and divinity, so that we can receive him into our own bodies in Communion.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is early in his ministry, but he is already pointing people toward his Last Supper, passion, and death. He tells them that just as God had fed his people Israel with manna in the desert, he would feed them. But Jesus is not speaking only about physical bread and the miraculous multiplication of the loaves (John 6:1-15). He is promising the “food that endures for eternal life” (6:27). He is proclaiming that he himself is “the living bread that came down from heaven” and that he will give them his own “flesh for the life of the world” (6:51).
Two thousand years later, we encounter this same Jesus at every Eucharist. What a glorious gift! He offered his Body and Blood on the cross to save us, and now he gives us that same Body and Blood on the altar.
At Mass today, as the priest lifts up the Host, fix your eyes and heart on Jesus. As you pray, “Lord, I am not worthy,” trust in the mercy of your crucified Savior. As you come forward to receive Jesus, proclaim your faith in his true, Real Presence in what was once only bread and wine. And as you kneel in grateful prayer, praise and thank him for giving his life to you and offering himself for the whole world.
“Lord Jesus, I believe you are truly present in the Eucharist. I adore you and I give my life to you."
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First Reading — Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-161. How can we avoid missing the message behind the meal God provides for us?
Second Reading — 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
2. What practical effects should the belief in “one Bread, one Body” have on us?
Gospel Reading — John 6:51-58
3. What was the root issue these disputing Jews had with Jesus’ message?
4. What does it mean to have Jesus abide in us?
5. What are the promises Jesus included in this teaching?
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