Education in Faith
The gospel passage this week continues the theme on the Bread of Life. The passage shows the crowd bristling at Jesus describing himself as the ‘bread that came down from heaven’. They dismiss his claim because they know his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. How could he have come down from heaven if they are aware of his parents on earth?
One of the great concerns of the Gospel of John is to convey an understanding of who Jesus is. The gospel contains some of the ‘great’ images that we have for Jesus: living water; living bread; light for the world; the good shepherd; the way, the truth and the life.
There is an obvious connection between this week’s reading and the sacramental celebration of Eucharist. Jesus describes himself as living bread and then says whoever eats this living bread will live forever. These words capture the essence of the Church teaching about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Jesus is present in several ways at the celebration of Eucharist, particularly present in the bread and wine that become his body and blood. Through our celebration of the Eucharist, Jesus offers us his continuing, enduring presence.