Homily: 3rd Week of Easter - Friday - His flesh is true food

Today’s Gospel was the last in a series of readings from John, Chapter 6, what is called the Bread of Life discourse.  Jesus has talked about how the food he gives does not perish, how it is the bread of life, and that those who eat this bread will be raised on the last day.

Today Jesus perhaps gives the hardest part of the teaching on the Eucharist, this bread of life is his flesh and his blood, we are to eat of it, if we are to have eternal life with Him.

This shocking statement started a quarrel amongst the disciples; and as a result of their inability to accept this teaching, some of those who had begun to follow Jesus, turned away from him and went back to their former way of life.  Nevertheless, Jesus did not recant or even modify His terminology. He was willing to lose even the twelve apostles rather than change or water down his wording here.

St. Thomas Aquinas maintained that believing that Eucharist is truly the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ is the most challenging act of faith.  The Eucharist does not look like Christ; thus tests our faith. 

Saint Thomas Aquinas penned a number of hymns about the Eucharist.  We are probably most familiar with the Pange Lingua Gloriosi, which is sung on Holy Thursday, and part of which, the Tantum Ergo, is sung at Benediction.  In another hymn, the Adoro Te Devote, Saint Thomas teaches us about this mystery of Jesus’ real presence which defies the senses. 

Sight, taste, and touch in Thee are deceived; the ear alone most safely is believed: I believe all the Son of God has spoken: Than Truth’s own word there is no truer token.”

We believe that the Eucharist is Jesus’ true flesh because…he said so, and we believe what we have heard---there is no truer Word than his.

In the conclusion of Saint Thomas’ hymn he writes, “Jesus, whom now I see hidden, I ask you to fulfill what I so desire: That the sight of your face being unveiled, I may have the happiness of seeing your glory.”

The Word made flesh, makes himself food for our souls; may we be bearers of this great truth, so that others may come to believe, that they may come to eat his flesh and drink his blood that they may have eternal life, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.