Scripture: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 and Psalm 111 • Proverbs 9:1-6 and Psalm 34:9-14 • Ephesians 5:15-20 • John 6:51-58
We have been studying the Bread of Life sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Jesus uses the image of bread to get his message across - the staple of life itself. But this week he shocks not only the religious leaders of his time, with all their rules about what can be eaten and how it is to be prepared, but many who have followed him now leave him when he tells us we must eat his flesh and drink his blood. He tells us we need to do this to live both now and forever.
What does he mean? For Sharron Blezard in "We Are What We Eat," this means not devouring what the world wants us to consume, but to be nourished in body and soul with Jesus. What does she mean?
For The Rev. David Lose in "Meeting the Carnal God," in the Eucharistic feast, Jesus invites us to be wholly one with him. How much closer can we get than to actually ingest him? He tells us that God is not satisfied with less than our whole selves. He is the God who comes for our whole selves. In accepting the love offered by the God who sacrifices his son for us, we, in all our sin and brokenness are restored to a relationship with God, and each other. Thanks be to God. Thanks - the Eucharist is a feast of thanksgiving, and of good gifts.
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