Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Long before his passion and death, Jesus predicted that he would nourish us with his very self. To those who heard him, this seemed too much to take. The gospel goes on to state that a number of his disciples no longer followed him after he insisted on what he stated here. This truly saddened Jesus, causing him to ask the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”

Sadly, many people today treat Jesus’ words in the same way. I was once speaking with a pastor in France who asked me about religious practices in the United States. I was embarrassed to tell him that at the time, only around 50% of the people attended Sunday Mass. He was very impressed. He told me that on Sundays, in his parish, only 28 people bothered to come to Mass. Today, Jesus finds many who do not appreciate his offer of true life, who think that eating his body and drinking his blood are unimportant. They will probably show up on holidays like Christmas and Easter—our C&E Catholics. Many throw in an extra weekday: Ash Wednesday.

It is easy to point to others and criticize their religious practice. Gospels like this, however, are meant for us to look to ourselves and ask how our religious practice serves to transform us more and more into Christ. Do we appreciate what it cost Jesus to give us his body and blood in communion? Have we made an effort this Lent and Eastertide to become more Christ-like? Have years of celebrating Eucharist made us disciples who truly make a difference in this world as Jesus did?

Let Us Pray:

O Jesus, grant me the grace to appreciate more and more the privilege of receiving your body and drinking your blood. Help me to truly become what I receive.