The Mystery of the Eucharist
May 9, 2025 - Friday of the Third Week of Easter
John 6:52-59
The question the Jews ask in today’s Gospel—“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”—reveals their struggle to understand Jesus’ words. Just before this, Jesus had declared, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:51).
Jesus does not directly answer their question, but it remains with us even today. How is it possible to eat His flesh and drink His blood? The only possible answer is found in the great mystery of the Eucharist.
Jesus, fully human, had real flesh and blood. He suffered a tragic death on the cross. And yet, on the night before His Passion, He took bread, blessed it, and said, “Take it, eat it, this is my body.” Then He took the cup filled with wine and said, “Take it and drink it, this is my blood.” These words are not mere symbols; they reveal a hidden reality. In the Eucharist, Christ gives Himself completely to us, and by receiving Him, we become united with Him in a way beyond human understanding.
This is why we call the Eucharist “Holy Communion.” As St. Paul reminds us, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16). In this sacred meal, we do not simply receive bread and wine — we partake in the very life of Christ Himself. Since He is the Bread of Life, the very source of life, He alone can offer us the gift of eternal life.
In our time, there is much discussion about extending human life. Advances in medicine and technology allow people to remain active into old age. Some even believe science will one day conquer death, allowing us to stay young forever. What does this tell us? Deep within us, there is a longing for immortality.
The Bible affirms this instinctive desire. “God created man for incorruption, and made him in the image of His own eternity, but through the envy of the devil, death entered the world.” (Wisdom 2:23-24). Death was never part of God’s original plan, but Jesus came to restore what was lost.
Jesus proclaims, “Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” He offers a solution to the greatest human fear—death. Through the Eucharist, He transforms death from a tragic end into a passage to eternal life.
Jesus makes a bold and breathtaking promise: Whoever unites themselves to Him in the sacrament of His Body and Blood will share in His victory over death. In the Eucharist, He gives us not just nourishment, but the very life of God Himself.
Each time we receive Holy Communion, we touch eternity. It is a foretaste of the banquet of heaven, a reminder that we are created not for this world alone, but for the life that never ends. So as we approach the altar, let us come with faith and gratitude, knowing that in the Eucharist, Jesus Himself is drawing us into the mystery of His eternal love. For whoever eats this Bread will truly live forever.