Today Gospel Reading chronicles the dramatic culmination of the 5-week study of John 6 (John 6:60-69). Will we find Jesus’ teaching too demanding as did many of his disciples or will our response echo Peter’s acclamation :

          “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed,                               and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69, ESV-CE)

Correct interpretation of biblical texts recognizes and honors context. Thus, to correctly understand today’s Gospel we must appreciated the full significance of what Jesus has done and revealed to be true throughout the entire chapter.

The chapter begins with Jesus’ miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fish. This action puts into motion what Jesus will teach the entirety of the remaining discourse; namely that He Himself is the true bread form heaven, sent by His Father, transcending God’s former “bread of life” as the gift of manna and the Law. In contrast to God’s former gifts of manna and the Law, the true Bread of Life Jesus brings eternal life which will be made available to all through the Eucharist.

Jesus heralds the message of a God Who saves by loving. God’s salvific gift is life now and hereafter. We believe this, like Peter, knowing that Jesus Himself is the Holy One of God and there is no other.

To accept Jesus in this manner means we believe that, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Further holding to be true that God’s “Word became flesh and dwelt among us” in such a form that we can behold God’s Glory (John 1:14).  The only Son, sent by the Father, offers no less than Himself to us in the Eucharistic to give us love now and for all eternity.