Spirit and life

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.’ He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

- John 6:60-71

Over the past several readings, Jesus has been speaking of himself as the “bread of life.” This discourse began after the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the feeding of the 5,000. The crowds pursued Jesus across the Sea of Galilee, because they wanted to make him king. But Jesus proclaimed to them that they wanted this merely because they were fed the loaves of bread by him; what they should seek instead is the bread of life which he is offering them – Himself. See readings from Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for the whole of this essential discourse on the nature of Christ and his relation to us and in us.

In yesterday’s reading, Jesus taught that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood – that which he will give for us. "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them." A hard and mysterious teaching indeed, which perplexed his audience. As always, in John’s gospel, we are to understand that we need spiritual ears and eyes to hear and see, to understand. Jesus’ words will always draw us more deeply than the surface into his meanings and the essential teaching he is trying to convey. See yesterday’s commentary for more on these teachings that today’s reading reflects upon.

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ Some translations quote the disciples as saying, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" Indeed, a hard and perplexing saying! But Jesus is speaking on spiritual terms, of a mystical reality that we take in as he offers himself to us. Of course, we understand the reality of the Eucharist, its mystical gift, its strength in us. But I believe that Jesus is teaching far more than that: we are heirs to what he is, he shares himself completely with us. This is deeper than relationship - it is indeed, food, mystical food that nourishes soul and spirit. His whole Person is our food.

But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?" Jesus asks them why they cannot understand - or rather quizzes them: What if they were to see him ascending? Would they then accept the spiritual teaching? Would they begin to understand?

"It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." Jesus' flesh and blood is mystical food, spiritual food. And the very words he speaks are spirit and life. What we take in of himself and all of his life that he gives for us is mystical food that gives us life itself. This is the food that we need, our meat and drink, and we need it to truly live, to have life in abundance and the eternal life of which he's speaking.

"But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father." From the beginning of this discourse (see Monday's reading), Jesus has said that the Father draws all to Himself through Jesus. Those who respond to Christ do so because it is the Father who is drawing them, God who is teaching them ("It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' ") Jesus is aware that there are those disciples following him now who will turn away because of this difficult teaching. But he reinforces the idea that those who gather to him truly do so only by the will of the Father.

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" These difficult teachings make many followers turn away. So, Jesus turns to the twelve apostles whom he himself has chosen. Are they ready to leave him, also? Peter, speaking for the apostles says, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." This is a recognition of the spiritual reality of Jesus' words. As Jesus has just said, his words themselves are spirit and life. This is a spiritual recognition, part of the internal reality of mystical connection in those who will follow and hear and know, those who are drawn by the Father through Christ. Where else will they go? Who else has the words Jesus has to teach them?

Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil." He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him. In the midst of the dialogue, yet another reality to ponder. Those who are drawn in faith to Christ come to him because they are drawn by the Father. And yet, there is another falling away that is to happen, another betrayal. Many disciples who followed Jesus are now going because they cannot accept his words, they cannot accept his teachings. Their faith does not take them that far. But of the twelve he has chosen himself, there will still be another betrayal. So, we are introduced to another element of the reality of Jesus: he cannot and does not compel anyone to follow him. The Father will give those to Jesus as is granted by the Father. But human beings make their own choices; we all have free will. Neither the Father, nor Christ, abrogates our power of choice. And this is yet another spiritual mystery to add to this package we receive in this talk!

Jesus' food is our meat and drink. His words are filled with spirit and life. We turn to all that he is, we take it in, and he becomes a part of us. He offers himself to us wholly, his whole Person. He will sacrifice himself on the Cross, and his life will be our food. We will mystically take in his flesh and blood in the Eucharist. And yet, those who will fall away will do so. Nothing is compelled. Ultimately, it is human free will that prevails. Somewhere deep inside there is a choice, even among those whom Jesus himself has chosen! We are offered everything, and yet we may turn away. What must it be like for Jesus to be spurned? To feel disappointment, to understand that there are those who follow him who ultimately will not accept his gift? Even among those whom he has personally chosen? This is another mystery of the reality of the world and our state in it. Yet, even so, the gift is offered, and offered wholly to us all, "for the life of the world."