20th Sunday - B

Commentary

John 6: 51-58

To Believe, To Eat, and To Drink

At the beginning of this Gospel, in the Prologue, John tells us, “He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” (1: 11- 12, 14).

And now, Jesus tells us how he fulfills this mission that John introduced,

The Son of God has come in human flesh. Not all will accept that, particularly his own. But to those who believe, he gives the gift of himself. Those who eat his flesh and drink his blood have eternal life. And eternal life is being one with the Father and the Son.

The response on our part: to believe, to eat his flesh, and to drink his blood.