Hunger and thirst are powerful forces. Either one alone can shape our journey, especially on a spiritual level. In the gospel readings for the past several Sundays, we have heard Jesus speak to this journey with deep understanding and compassion. These readings show that Jesus acknowledges the spiritual hunger and thirst that all of us have, and that he longs to nourish our spiritual needs. He expresses this longing in a most straightforward way when he says, “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). Jesus often described himself with such dramatic language to highlight the purpose for his life and mission on earth.
This purpose is especially evident in the “I am” sayings: I am the light of the world who dispels the darkness with the light of life (Jn 8:12); I am the good shepherd who leads his flock (Jn 10:11); I am the way, the truth and the life that leads to eternal life (Jn14:6). Those who heard Jesus speak this way understood he was not speaking literally. They accepted his language as symbolizing a spiritual truth.
Yet, many expressed a robust objection when Jesus referred to himself as the “bread of life come down from heaven” and that whoever eats this bread will live forever. Those who heard this were confused and found his claim too difficult to accept. In fact, many went away shaking their heads in disbelief when Jesus further claimed that, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.” Not just any life, but eternal life is the promise, “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink…whoever eats this bread will live forever” (Jn 6:53-55).
Many of the disciples who first heard this teaching also found it too difficult and left Jesus behind, returning to their former way of life (Jn 6:66). This is a puzzling response from the very disciples who were also witness to some astonishing miracles by Jesus—feeding the multitude with a few loaves of bread and some fish; raising the dead to life; driving out demons; curing the incurable. Thus, the difficulty with the bread of life teaching was not due to any misunderstanding or disbelief in Jesus’ ability to make good on his claim. The disciples had difficulty because they knew that Jesus was no longer speaking metaphorically. They knew he was speaking literally.
Their difficulty thus concerned the radical promise of eternal life. In their view, God is the only source of life, all life. Thus, for Jesus to claim that he could give eternal life through his own body and blood was tantamount to claiming that he was God. And that claim, from their perspective, was profound blasphemy. This perceived blasphemy on their part is why many of the disciples abandoned Jesus over the bread of life teaching.
The Twelve, however, remained with him. When Jesus asks the Twelve whether they too wanted to leave, Peter’s response demonstrates the basis of their loyalty: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:67-68). These disciples remained because they believed that Jesus was the “Holy One of God” (Jn 6:69; cf. Mt 16:21, Mk 8:29, Lk 9:20). This devotion gives no indication, however, that the Twelve found the “bread of life” teaching any less radical than those who left.
The picture that emerges at the Last Supper, however, is quite different. When the Twelve gather with Jesus for the last time in the Upper Room, they hear him declare that the bread and wine are his body and blood. Yet, they express no doubt or surprise over these words. Nor is there any suggestion that any of them abandoned Jesus at this time because of what he said. Rather, the disciples show trusting acceptance of his claim to be the very source of eternal life. In fact, Scripture suggests that their only concern at that time was being accused as his betrayer. So, what changed?
This transformation in belief suggests that perceiving Jesus whenever and wherever he manifests himself, especially in the Eucharist, is a consequence of spiritual enlightenment offered over time by the Holy Spirit. Indeed, the post-resurrection experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus is a good example in that regard. Their experience of Jesus shows that belief in him is a direct, although perhaps not immediate, result of breaking bread with Jesus, aided by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Despite the fact that the risen Jesus had spent time with these disciples earlier in the day, explaining Scripture to them, their eyes were opened and they recognized him “in the breaking of bread” later that day (Lk 24:31).
The lesson for us today seems clear. Jesus nourishes us and enables us to perceive him whenever and wherever he manifests himself. This perception is an outcome of a spiritual journey with many points of maturity and various degrees of responsibility along the way. Irrespective of our position along that path, Jesus desires complete union with each of us. St. Paul refers to this union in reminding us that we all partake of one loaf and thus are one body and one Spirit in and through Jesus Christ (Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 12:12-13).
Uniting ourselves to Christ inevitably compels a response on our part. When we bring what we have to Christ—our needs and ourselves—and unite them to him, Christ becomes the foundation of our lives and he in turn transforms us. How we do not necessarily know, but our relationship with Jesus motivates us to imitate what he says and how he acts. We put on the mind of Christ, as St. Paul describes it (1Cor 2:16).
With the mind of Christ, we find reason and desire to share our gifts with others in a spirit of love. This is what Jesus means when he identifies himself as the bread of life. For all of us, Jesus says—take me in, become what I am. Be the bread of life to others and do what I do. Your eternal life and joy in turn will begin here and now.
