So Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves.  The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, because my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna your ancestors ate—and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”

He said these things while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

John 6:60-69

Therefore, when many of his disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard. Who can accept it?”

Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, asked them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to observe the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?  The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some among you who don’t believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not believe and the one who would betray him.)  He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted to him by the Father.”

From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “You don’t want to go away too, do you?”

Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

As women of faith, we are called to delve into the depths of Scripture, seeking understanding and guidance. In John 6:60–69, we witness a profound moment where Jesus, in his teaching, presents a challenging concept to his followers: the necessity of consuming his flesh and blood for eternal life. This teaching is met with confusion and disbelief by many, leading to a moment of decision for all who follow him.

Imagine the scene: Jesus, knowing the hearts of his disciples, asks them, “Does this shock you?” His words are not meant to be taken lightly or symbolically. They are a call to a deep, intimate relationship with him, one that requires complete trust and surrender.

Despite the confusion and doubt of many, Peter’s response is a beacon of faith and conviction. He declares, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Peter’s words echo through the centuries, reminding us that Jesus is not just a wise teacher but the very source of life itself.

As women of faith, we are called to stand with Peter, affirming our belief in Jesus as the Holy One of God. Like Peter, we are invited to embrace the mystery of the Eucharist, where Jesus comes to us in the flesh and blood, offering us the gift of eternal life.

Let us pray:

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who offers us the words of eternal life. Help us to deepen our faith and trust in him, especially when your teachings are difficult to understand. May we, like Peter, declare our belief in you as the Holy One of God, and may we always remain steadfast in our commitment to follow you. Amen

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Holy Beautiful Life

Featured Image by Holger Schué from Pixabay