20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

Sunday 18 August 2024
Jn 6:51-58

“The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.’”
(John 6:52-58)

While in the synagogue at Capernaum, Jesus speaks of manna, the food from God’s providence that sustained the people of Israel during their meandering in the desert. Moving on from this discourse, the Master moves to boldly applying the Word, by referring certain passages of Scripture to Himself, such as “I am the living bread that came down from heaven”. At this stage the atmosphere heats up.

The word that is translated as “disputed among themselves” literally means ‘to fight’, a verb used more often in a military context. In other words, those listening to the words of Jesus in Capernaum begin to fight among themselves: “But is he really telling us to eat him? We’re no cannibals!”. And look how Jesus clears up any ambiguity, speaking with absolute clarity: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them”. For the first time in John’s Gospel the Greek verb trògo appears. This doesn’t refer to the simple act of eating, but more to ‘ripping with your teeth’ or ‘devouring’!

The discourse at Capernaum challenges us and makes us reflect on the mystery of the Eucharist, God’s presence in sacramental form. Let us be amazed by this reality, approaching the Eucharist not out of habit, but welcoming this Presence with a renewed gratitude. Know that it’s not just a turn of phrase, but that we truly eat, and are nourished by, the Body and Blood of Jesus!

Fr. Giuseppe