REFLECTIONS TODAY

In the Hebrew’s understanding, “flesh and blood” is their idiomatic reference to the whole person. Therefore, when Jesus insinuates in giving his flesh as food and his blood as drink, he actually indicates that his very person, the incarnated Son of God, is the life-giving source that came down from heaven. In a sacramental symbolism, Jesus’ body is the “flesh,” and his blood is the “true drink” that gives life to whoever receives it. Jesus’ sacrificial offering at Calvary is reenacted as a living memorial in the eucharistic sacrifice. With the assuring words, “Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him” (v 56) — Jesus guarantees a share in eternal life to those who receive him in communion. Gospel • John 6:52-59 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).