Daily Gospel Reflection for May 6, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 6:52-59

Today’s Gospel is one of the key texts that are the basis for our doctrine on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. In this portion of the “Bread of Life” discourse in chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, Jesus doubles down on His statement that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have life within Him. In fact, the words “flesh” and “blood” are repeated a total of nine times in these seven verses. It’s clear that Jesus is not backing down from His declaration that we must eat His Flesh and drink His Blood to remain in Him. It’s only later that His disciples learned how they would do that; through the gift of the Eucharist.

We hear the terms “flesh and blood” used all the time to mean “biological family.” How interesting it is that Jesus uses the same words to make us His family. By sharing His Flesh and Blood with us in the Eucharist, He gives Himself to us completely, physically becoming a part of us as we spiritually become a part of Him. We become one Flesh and Blood, one Body, one family in Christ.

It amazes me again and again how fully Jesus loves us. He holds nothing back, not even His own physical Flesh and Blood. Knowing this, you’d think it should be easy to respond in kind, fully giving myself to Jesus in a response of love. But, it’s not easy. I hold myself back from loving Him completely even when I’m convinced it’s what I want to do. Luckily, Jesus isn’t weighing my response against His Gift. If He did, I’d never merit the gift of the Eucharist. And I don’t think I’d be the only one left out.

Ponder:

How can you give yourself more fully to Jesus in response to His full and complete gift of Himself to you in the Eucharist? What parts of yourself might you be holding back from Him and His Love?

Pray:

Jesus, thank you for the gift of the Eucharist that allows me to be one with You physically and spiritually. Help me to identify the parts of myself that I’m holding back so that I can be more freely and fully one with You.