Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, 

“This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 

But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, “Do you take offence at this?”
(John 6: 60-61)  

 John 6: 60-69 

The conclusion to this chapter is difficult - the people find Jesus’ words confusing, and some even stop following him.

In the verses preceding these, Jesus instructed his disciples to “eat my flesh” and “drink my blood.” Jesus has fed five thousand people and now declares that he is bread sent down from heaven. Only those who eat his body and drink his blood shall have eternal life.

This teaching was hard to stomach. We have become acclimatised to this language because we have 2000 years of the Eucharistic tradition on our side. But for the disciples, this language was new and startling.

“Eat my body. Drink my blood”. This unseemly image was contrary to Levitical law. No wonder Jesus’ disciples were disgusted, turned off, scandalised, angry and dumbfounded.

I am sure many of us experience some difficulty with various teachings of Jesus and the Church. One idea may rub us up the wrong way, or a calling from God, felt deep in our hearts, may cause us anxiety and fear.

It is important to acknowledge these difficulties in our journey of faith. We need to learn to sit with them and try to engage them through prayer, further reading, and discussion.

What are the sayings of God that you find difficult to stomach? How do you engage with these challenging sayings? How is God at work in them?

Reflections by Sean van Staden SJ

Loving God,
Some of what you say and call us to are difficult to stomach. Please help us engage with them and 

let them lead us closer to you.
Amen.

Visit our website