Lectio Reflection - Corpus Christi - John 6:51-58

Summary

This lecture reflection on the feast of Corpus Christi explores the metaphor of Jesus as the 'Living Bread' from the Gospel of John. It delves into the Eucharist as a sacrament of both receiving and commitment, emphasizing the necessity of a deeper connection to the divine through the Eucharistic celebration. The discussion invites participants to consider the transformative impact of the Eucharist on their daily lives, encouraging a more conscious approach to communion as an act of self-giving and spiritual nourishment.

Takeaways

• 🍞 The discourse emphasizes that Jesus is the 'Living Bread' that gives eternal life to those who partake in it.
• 📖 The Gospel of John, particularly in chapter 6, discusses the 'Bread of Life' discourse, which is a significant part of the Christian understanding of the Eucharist.
• 🤔 The script raises questions about the absence of the Last Supper's record in John's Gospel and ponders its implications.
• 🕊 The Eucharist is portrayed as a transformative act that requires commitment and participation, not just as a ritual but as a covenant.
• 🔄 The Eucharist is described as a sacrament of initiation and commitment, where believers renew their basic commitment to their faith journey.
• 🌱 The metaphor of 'eating the flesh and drinking the blood' of Jesus is used to convey the idea of receiving spiritual nourishment and entering into a covenant with God.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The passage invites reflection on the personal impact of the Eucharist and how it should influence one's daily life beyond the church's doors.
• 💭 The script encourages a deeper consideration of what it means to receive the Eucharist and the difference it should make in one's life.
• 🕊️ The idea of the Eucharist as a commitment is highlighted, suggesting that partaking in it is a pledge to live a life of Christian discipleship.
• 🙏 The importance of grounding resolutions in prayer and seeking spiritual guidance to fulfill commitments is underscored.
• 🔚 The conclusion of the script with the Eucharistic prayer ties back to the theme of reverence for the sacrament and the desire for redemption through Christ.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the lecture on the feast of Corpus Christi?

The central theme of the lecture is the reflection on the Eucharist as the 'Bread of Life' discourse from the Gospel of John, emphasizing the importance of the Eucharist in Christian spirituality and life.

What is the significance of Jesus referring to himself as 'The Living Bread'?

Jesus referring to himself as 'The Living Bread' signifies that he is the source of eternal life, and by partaking in the Eucharist, believers can have a spiritual connection with him and attain eternal life.

Why did some of the Jewish hearers and disciples walk away during Jesus' discourse on the bread of life?

Some of the Jewish hearers and disciples walked away because they found the idea of eating Jesus' flesh and drinking his blood as metaphors for spiritual nourishment difficult to comprehend and accept.

What does the lecturer suggest about the Eucharist and the Christian life?

The lecturer suggests that the Eucharist is integral to the Christian life, representing a commitment to the covenant that Jesus established through his sacrifice, and is not just an isolated event but a continuous journey of faith.

How does the lecturer interpret the Eucharist as a sacrament of initiation?

The lecturer interprets the Eucharist as a sacrament of initiation by stating that it involves not only receiving but also committing oneself to the covenant, making it a foundational aspect of a believer's spiritual journey.

What is the connection between the Eucharist and the idea of a covenant according to the lecture?

The connection between the Eucharist and the idea of a covenant is that partaking in the Eucharist signifies a commitment to the new covenant that Jesus established through his sacrifice, similar to how agreements were made in Jesus' time by offering a sacrifice.

What personal reflection does the lecturer encourage regarding the Eucharist?

The lecturer encourages personal reflection on the significance of receiving the Eucharist, contemplating how it impacts one's daily life beyond the church doors and what difference it makes in one's commitment to Christian discipleship.

What is the lecturer's resolution regarding their participation in the Eucharist?

The lecturer's resolution is to be more conscious of the act of giving oneself during the reception of communion and to not argue with oneself about attending mass, but to simply be present more often.

How does the story of the prisoner on death row requesting Holy Communion impact the lecturer's perspective on the Eucharist?

The story of the prisoner requesting Holy Communion as his last meal deeply impacts the lecturer, prompting reflection on the purpose of receiving the Eucharist and its transformative power in one's life.

What prayer does the lecturer conclude with, and what is its significance?

The lecturer concludes with the Eucharistic prayer from the liturgy of the day, which is a prayer to revere the sacred mysteries of Christ's body and blood, seeking the fruits of redemption in one's life.

Outlines

00:00

🍞 Introduction and Reflection on Corpus Christi

The speaker welcomes viewers to the Center for Christian Spirituality and introduces the lecture reflection on the feast of Corpus Christi. The script includes a reading from the Gospel of John where Jesus describes himself as the Living Bread and emphasizes the importance of eating his flesh and drinking his blood to attain eternal life. The discourse is analyzed, explaining that Jesus is the bread of life, and the Eucharist is central to Christian life and discipleship. The significance of the Eucharist as more than just an event is discussed, highlighting its role in daily Christian living and commitment.

05:00

❤️ The Human Expression of Divine Love

This paragraph delves into the metaphor of Jesus as the bread of life, describing it as both extraordinary and ordinary. It compares the act of feeding loved ones to Jesus' desire to nourish his followers with his flesh and blood. The speaker invites listeners to reflect on the passage and its implications for their lives. The paragraph emphasizes the intimate and human aspects of divine love and nourishment, encouraging a deeper connection with the Eucharist and its meaning.

10:02

🕊️ Commitment Through the Eucharist

The paragraph explores the cultural context of Jesus' time, where agreements were sealed with a sacrifice. This context is applied to the Eucharist, suggesting that receiving communion is a commitment to the covenant established by Jesus. The speaker reflects on the Eucharist as a sacrament of initiation and a renewal of one's commitment to the journey towards God. Personal resolutions and reflections on the significance of the Eucharist in daily life are shared, emphasizing the transformative impact of communion.

🙏 Personal Reflections and Prayer

This final paragraph invites viewers to consider the personal implications of the scripture and make commitments based on their reflections. It underscores the importance of prayer in grounding and fulfilling these resolutions. The speaker concludes the lecture by thanking viewers and inviting them to future discussions. The paragraph ends with a Eucharistic prayer, asking for the grace to revere the sacred mysteries and experience the fruits of redemption through Christ.

Keywords

💡Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is a Christian feast celebrating the Eucharist, the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ. It is observed in many Christian traditions, particularly within the Catholic Church. In the script, the lecture reflection centers around this feast, emphasizing the importance of the Eucharist as a symbol of eternal life and the ongoing relationship between Christ and his followers.

💡Eucharist

The Eucharist is a sacrament in Christianity where believers partake in the bread and wine, symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The script discusses the Eucharist as a central theme, highlighting its significance in Christian spirituality and the metaphor of Jesus as 'the bread of life', which is a source of eternal sustenance for the faithful.

💡Bread of Life

The term 'Bread of Life' is a metaphor used by Jesus in the Gospel of John to describe himself as the source of eternal life. In the script, this metaphor is explored in the context of the Eucharist, where Jesus offers his flesh as the true bread from heaven, emphasizing the spiritual nourishment that believers receive through this sacrament.

💡Eternal Life

Eternal life in Christian belief refers to the everlasting life that believers are promised in heaven. The script repeatedly mentions eternal life, connecting it with the consumption of the Eucharist, where those who partake in the sacrament are said to have eternal life and to be raised on the last day.

💡Discipleship

Discipleship in the Christian context involves following the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. The script touches on the idea that partaking in the Eucharist is not just a receiving of grace but also a commitment to the way of life of a Christian disciple, living out the teachings of Jesus.

💡Covenant

A covenant in religious terms is a binding agreement or promise. In the script, the Eucharist is described as a new covenant established by Jesus through his sacrifice, where believers commit to him and to each other, symbolized by the act of eating and drinking his flesh and blood.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice in the script refers to the act of giving up something of value, often in the context of religious offerings. Jesus' offering of his body and blood is presented as the ultimate sacrifice, which believers are invited to partake in through the Eucharist, signifying their commitment to the covenant.

💡Spirituality

Spirituality in the script is related to the personal and communal practices that nurture a relationship with the divine. The Center for Christian Spirituality, where the lecture takes place, focuses on deepening this relationship through reflections on the Eucharist and the teachings of Jesus.

💡Last Supper

The Last Supper is the final meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, where he instituted the Eucharist. Although not explicitly mentioned in the script, the reference to Jesus' words and actions over bread and wine alludes to this event, which is foundational to the Christian understanding of the Eucharist.

💡Faithful

The term 'faithful' in the script refers to those who believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is used to describe the audience of the lecture and those who partake in the Eucharist, emphasizing their commitment to the Christian faith and its practices.

💡Redemption

Redemption in a Christian context is the act of being saved or delivered from sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The script concludes with a prayer that acknowledges the Eucharist as a memorial of Christ's passion and a means for experiencing the fruits of redemption.

Highlights

Introduction to the lecture on the feast of Corpus Christi with a reflection on the scripture of the Bread of Life.

Jesus' discourse on being the living bread that came down from heaven and the necessity of consuming his flesh and blood for eternal life.

The confusion and disputes among the Jews about Jesus' metaphor of his flesh and blood for consumption.

The explanation of the metaphor's significance in the Christian Eucharist and its relation to eternal life.

The Gospel of John's unique perspective on the Eucharist, contrasting with other Gospels that record the Last Supper.

The Bread of Life discourse from the Gospel of John and its importance in understanding the Eucharist.

The transformative nature of the Eucharist and its role in Christian discipleship.

The idea that the Eucharist is not an isolated event but a continuous commitment to Christian life.

The historical evolution of the feast of Corpus Christi and its current significance in fostering communion with Jesus.

The balance between adoration and involvement in the Eucharistic celebration and its impact on daily life.

The metaphor of bread and flesh as ordinary yet profound elements of human sustenance and divine love.

The natural human instinct to feed those we love as an expression of Jesus' desire to nourish his followers.

The Eucharist as a sacrament of initiation, commitment, and the foundation of the Christian journey to God.

Personal reflections on the importance of being conscious during the reception of communion and its impact on life outside the church.

The story of a prisoner on death row requesting Holy Communion as his last meal, prompting reflection on the purpose of the Eucharist.

The resolution to attend mass more frequently without hesitation, recognizing the transformative power of the Eucharist.

The conclusion of the lecture with a prayer for the courage and spirit to fulfill commitments made through the Eucharist.

Transcripts

[Music]

welcome to the Center for Christian

spirituality thank you for joining us on

this lecture reflection on the feast of

Corpus Christi I am The Living bread

that came down from heaven whoever eats

of this bread will live forever and the

bread that I will give you for the life

of the world is my flesh the Jews then

disputed among themselves saying how can

this man give us his flesh to eat so

jesus said to them very truly I tell you

unless you eat the flesh of the Son of

Man and drink his blood you have no life

in you those who eat my flesh and drink

my blood have eternal life and I will

raise them up on the last day for my

flesh is true food and my blood is true

drink those who eat my flesh and drink

my blood abide in me and I in then just

as the living father sent me and I live

because of the father so whoever eats me

will live because of me

this is the bread that came down from

heaven not like that which our ancestors

ate and they died but the one who eats

this bread will live forever the author

of the Gospel of John does not record

the words and actions of Jesus over the

brave and the wine at the last summer

and one wonders why we don't know the

answer but he certainly did not ignore

the university of ink because in chapter

6 he has this course that we call the

bread of life discourse and the gospel

that we are reading today is a part of

that particular discourse and the point

being made in the beginning of the

discourse is that Jesus is the bread of

life that he is the one that has come

from

is teaching that is the important thing

he spoke about the leaven of the

Pharisees the blade of the Pharisees as

representing their teaching

but as think discourse goes on and he

begins to talk about eating inflation

greening is glad the Jewish hearers

began to walk away and even some of the

disciples and Jesus said in the end to

the Apostles for you to go away they

said the room worship should we go you

have the words of eternal life

so the Brady I think is a big

Eucharistic reference and the point

being made is that the Eucharist and the

Christian life cannot really sleep with

things and if you like the way of life

of the Christians in Eucharistic way of

life and to eat and drink and it gives

life and the light that it gives is the

life of Christian discipleship and again

if we reflect on the events we can see

you've entered the Eucharist we can see

that it's not just an isolated event

that we bring to the Eucharist our self

giving and we take it away and live more

deeply after the event so I think the

gospel today is both liturgy life you've

enter the Eucharist and the living of

the university life outside the

particular event the things for that

data because this is a C's Testament

that's change significantly like from

the 13th century to the mid 20th century

a feast that was at I say

disrespectfully of gazing whereas now

it's taking us on another trajectory to

communion with Jesus and I'm not saying

that the the former is unimportant but

how do we create the balance in our

lives so it's the adoration to involve

and we go get them numerous yeah the

thing that really strikes me about this

passage is how such a mysterious extraor

Neri metaphor I am the bread of life but

that the metaphor itself is so ordinary

when it comes down when you think about

bread and and flesh and blood they're

not extraordinary they're pertaining to

humanity and I suppose the other thing

that strikes me is the way those you

love I truly love you you want to feed

you want to give them the sustenance to

keep going on a daily basis and it

sounds quite pedestrian but I know as

parent this idea of feeding is so

natural to those that you love

and so to me this is a great expression

of I want to abide in you and the eating

and the drinking of my flesh and blood

is that way of saying it it's most human

that that's the way I feed you with my

love we invite you now to consider what

this passage what strikes you about this

passage

so we invite you now to listen

scripture read second time I am The

Living bread that came down from heaven

whoever eats this bread will live

forever and the bread that I will give

for the life of the world is my flesh

the Jews then disputed among themselves

saying how can this man give us his

flesh to eat so jesus said to them very

truly I tell you unless you eat the

flesh of the Son of Man and drink his

blood you have no life in you

those who eat my flesh and drink my

blood have eternal life and I will raise

them up on the last day for my flesh is

true food and my blood is true drink

those who eat my flesh and drink my

blood abide in me and I in them just as

the living father sent me and I live

because of the father so ever eat me

will live because of me this is the

bread that came down from heaven not

like that which your ancestors and they

died but the one who eat this bread will

live forever

you both made the rate of how this is a

common it means that basically fits into

the text but I think there was another

common T means that is not common to us

but would have been common at the time

of Jesus and at the time of Jesus when

people made an agreement they would

offer a sacrifice and you didn't sign at

the bottom of a document you add of the

sacrifice in order to commit yourself to

the agreement

so the texas-ou has it is that we eat

and uh nourish and therefore we have

eternal life but looking at in that

other use of the practice of the time we

come to the Eucharist we are committing

ourselves that when Jesus said and take

my flesh and and eat it and take my

blood and drink it he was saying are you

willing to be part of the Covenant which

I am bringing about through this

sacrifice and I like to suggest that

point out that the Eucharist is a third

sacrament of initiation the dect ism we

receive but also we commitment

confirmation we receive but also we

commit and in the Eucharist will receive

but we renew that basic commitment that

is the foundation of our journey to God

and I think my resolution is that I

would like to be more conscious at the

time of the reception of communion of it

as a giving of myself as much as

receiving from the law it's beautiful I

I'm haunted in some way by something I

read just after Easter and it plays

around around in my mind and

particularly in the light of the

Eucharist the eight prisoners on death

row in Alabama or Arkansas not sure and

the customary theme when they're going

to be executed is what do they want for

their last meeting ISM and one of them

on death row when asked said that what

he wanted was Holy Communion and it just

threw me because I began to think well

what is it

the purpose of our receiving the

Eucharist I guess it comes back to that

is that David it's not so much what I

received that what am I to keep so that

when they go outside the doors of the

church what difference does it make to

me now that I have been in communion

with the risen Lord and I guess that's

what for myself that I'd like over the

coming week to probe a little more

deeply what does it mean for me to

receive the Eucharist what difference

does it make in my life when I get

beyond the doors of the church my

resolution is get very simple it's to

not argue with myself about should I or

shouldn't I go to this particular mass

or that or can I get there by five

o'clock but just to go just to be there

because I think in a way being part of

that Eucharistic celebration it does

touch you in some way but I can get all

I quickly do the shopping or I'll

quickly do that then not to have the

argument just do just turn up more often

we invite you now to consider what the

scripture means for you in your daily

life what do you commit to as a result

of it

we can do nothing on our own our

resolutions have to be grounded and

formed in our prayer so we invite you

now to take a moment to pray for the

courage and the spirit to be able to

fulfill those commitments

and to conclude we thank you for joining

us for this lecture reflection on the

festival Corpus Christi and invite you

back next week where we look forward to

discussing with you once again these

Sunday readings but we will conclude now

with the Eucharistic prayer all know

it's the beginning prayer from the

liturgy of the day Oh God

who in this wonderful sacrament have

left us a memorial of your passion grant

as we pray so to revere the sacred

mysteries of your body and blood that we

may always experience in ourselves the

fruits of your redemption through Christ

our Lord

you