This week Jesus is still with the Jewish community of his boyhood. And they are still astounded at his "audacity." Not only has Jesus equated himself with God ... he says that one must eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have eternal life. Crazy! And I have to admit that reading this short passage I get a little "creeped out" myself. I think if I had been there, I would have been shaking my head along with everyone else. I grew up taking "communion" once a month when I was attending church. I am used to the metaphorical language that is used. I understand what is actually being said. But Jesus gives no "real" explanation to these people. And they argue among themselves ...
As we move through these "Bread of Life" passages over these 5 weeks, this more than any other week is the week to talk about the sacrament of "holy communion." A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace. When we celebrate communion, we believe that Jesus is truly present with us. We do not, however, agree about what that means.
In some religious traditions, as in the Catholic Church, persons believe in transubstantiation. This means the elements which are the bread (body) and wine/juice (blood) change into the actual substance of the body and blood of Jesus.
United Methodists, as I am, believe in transignification. We believe the elements do not physically change, but the bread and wine/juice change in significance and purpose. They are spiritual nourishment, a "holy mystery." Read more in the United Methodist publication called This Holy Mystery.
There are still others that believe that the celebration of holy communion, also known as the Eucharist (thanksgiving) or the Lord's Supper, is only a symbolic gesture in remembrance of Jesus.
This is both a well defined doctrine in most religious traditions and a deeply personal issue. Each person has to work through for themselves in their own personal and communal situation. In the Upper Room at the Last Supper, Jesus "took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." At the time of the writing of John's Gospel, the early church were developing a tradition and from reading the text, we can assume this issue was deeply divisive in their community. I believe this is why John devotes an entire chapter on Jesus as the Bread of Life. In many ways, it is a "life or death" question. For Jesus says finally, "the one who eats this bread will live for ever."
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| Last Supper by Theophanes the Cretan [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Mid 16th Century, Painting located at Stavronikita Monastery, Mount Athos |
Breathe in … Bread of Life (pause) Breath out … I want to live! (pause)
and when you are ready to move deeper into the text ... Pray: Jesus, you are the bread of my life. I fear I do not truly understand what you are saying. Help me understand and embrace your presence in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Amen … Amen … Amen
Step 1: Lectio … Reading Read John 6:51-58 silently to yourself twice, slowly and reverently. Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention. Gently focus on that word or phrase. Repeat it several times and allow it to be sifted through your heart and mind all the way to your soul.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ 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 for ever.’
Continue to focus on your word or phrase.
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
What images emerge in your imagination?
What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you through this word.
Listen for God’s reply as you move through your day
Step 3: Oratio … Responding
Consider any desires that have been awakened by your prayer.
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention.
Do not rush ... wait and listen as God forms your prayers and desires
Step 4: Contempatio … Resting
Allow yourself to rest in the silence.
Allow your mind to settle into the silence.
When you feel the time to move on ...
Pray … Bread of Life, let me live forever in your Presence … Amen
Cindy's Meditation ... life of the world, Jesus talks about the whole world, not just me. Jesus loves not just a few people but every person in the whole world. How can I not believe that Jesus gave God-Self for every single person? But I do believe it. God cares for the world more than I can imagine and this makes me feel a sense of awe. Somehow the more I know of God's love for all of humanity and all of creation, the bigger God seems. And yet, how strange it is to think about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. It sounds more acceptable to say ... The bread of Life, the Cup of Salvation! I want to understand more deeply ... O God fill my heart with understanding as I rest in your presence ... God's love revealed
For a quiet reflection with music and images of a Catholic Communion Service, view John Michael Talbot's I am the Bread of Life on YouTube. Or close your eyes and listen to the more traditional hymn I am the Bread of Life by Robert Kochis.
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