The Shocking Reality of the Eucharist

Summary

Father Mike Schmitz discusses the National Eucharistic Revival, emphasizing the Eucharist as God's greatest gift and His true presence on Earth. He clarifies the literal interpretation of Jesus' words in John 6, distinguishing between the flesh as fallen human nature and the divine flesh of Christ, which is essential for salvation and redemption. Schmitz encourages Catholics and all Christians to awaken to the reality of Jesus' presence in the Eucharist.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Father Mike Schmitz introduces a series for the National Eucharistic Revival, emphasizing the importance of the Eucharist as God's greatest gift.
• 📜 The script discusses the sacraments, highlighting the Eucharist as not just a symbol but the actual presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
• 🍞 In John 6, Jesus is clear about the literal consumption of his flesh and blood for eternal life, not a symbolic act.
• 🔍 The disciples found Jesus' teachings on the Eucharist to be challenging, indicating that they understood it as a literal requirement for eternal life.
• 👨‍🏫 Father Mike explains that Jesus' statement 'it is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail' refers to fallen human nature, not his divine flesh.
• ✝️ The Catholic Church has consistently taught that Jesus' flesh and blood in the Eucharist are essential for salvation, contrary to some interpretations.
• 🌐 The incarnation, where God became flesh in Jesus Christ, is central to Christian belief and the redemption of humanity.
• 🙏 The Eucharist is a reenactment of the Last Supper and a continuation of Jesus' sacrifice, offering salvation to believers.
• 🤔 The script challenges interpretations that downplay the physical aspects of the Eucharist, asserting that Jesus' physical presence is crucial.
• 🔗 The discussion connects the Eucharist to the broader themes of grace, redemption, and the transformative power of Jesus' sacrifice.

Q & A

Who is Father Mike Schmitz and what is Ascension Presents?

Father Mike Schmitz is a Catholic priest and a speaker who presents content related to Catholic teachings. Ascension Presents is a platform that produces and shares his content, often focusing on religious education and discussions.

What is the National Eucharistic Revival mentioned in the script?

The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement within the Catholic Church that aims to renew and deepen the understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist among Catholics and the wider public.

Why is the Eucharist considered the greatest gift from God according to the script?

The Eucharist is considered the greatest gift from God because it represents God's very presence in the world, embodying Jesus Christ's body, blood, soul, and divinity.

How does the script explain the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist?

The script explains the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist by referencing John 6, where Jesus clearly states that the bread and wine become his flesh and blood, and by emphasizing the Church's teaching that the Eucharist is not symbolic but truly Jesus' body and blood.

What is the 'Bread of Life Discourse' mentioned in the script?

The 'Bread of Life Discourse' is a teaching by Jesus in the Gospel of John, chapter 6, where he explains the necessity of eating his flesh and drinking his blood for eternal life, emphasizing the literal consumption of his body and blood in the Eucharist.

Why did many of Jesus' disciples find his teachings on the Eucharist difficult to accept?

Many of Jesus' disciples found his teachings on the Eucharist difficult to accept because they were being asked to believe in the literal transformation of bread and wine into Jesus' body and blood, which was a profound and challenging concept.

What is the significance of Jesus' question about seeing the Son of Man ascending in John 6:62?

Jesus' question about seeing the Son of Man ascending in John 6:62 is significant because it challenges the disciples to consider his divine nature and his ability to perform miracles, such as transforming bread and wine into his body and blood.

How does the script clarify the difference between 'my flesh' and 'the flesh' in John 6:63?

The script clarifies that 'my flesh' refers to Jesus' divine and redemptive body and blood in the Eucharist, while 'the flesh' refers to fallen human nature, which is powerless without God's grace.

What is the role of the incarnation in Christian salvation according to the script?

The incarnation, or Jesus taking on flesh and living, suffering, dying, and rising in the flesh, is central to Christian salvation. It is through the incarnation that Jesus redeemed the world and provides the means for eternal life.

How does the script address the argument that Jesus' flesh is of no avail in John 6:63?

The script addresses this by distinguishing between Jesus' flesh, which is essential for salvation and redemption, and 'the flesh' in a general sense, which refers to fallen human nature that is powerless without divine intervention.

Outlines

00:00

📖 Introduction to the National Eucharistic Revival

Father Mike Schmitz introduces a series for the National Eucharistic Revival, emphasizing the Eucharist as God's greatest gift to humanity. He discusses the importance of recognizing the Eucharist as not just a symbol but as the actual presence of Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul, and divinity. The series aims to awaken Catholics and the world to the reality of Christ's presence in the Eucharist. Father Schmitz references John 6, where Jesus clearly states that consuming his flesh and blood is essential for eternal life, not as a metaphor but in a literal sense. This teaching is foundational to understanding the sacrament and its significance in the Catholic faith.

05:01

🍇 The Flesh and the Spirit in Salvation

Father Mike Schmitz delves into the interpretation of Jesus' words in John 6, particularly the distinction between 'my flesh' and 'the flesh'. He clarifies that when Jesus says 'it is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail,' he is referring to fallen human nature, not his divine flesh. Schmitz explains that Jesus' flesh, as mentioned in the context of the Eucharist, is true food and drink, essential for eternal life. The paragraph also touches on the broader Christian understanding of the incarnation as the hinge of salvation, where Jesus' physical presence and sacrifice are central to redemption. The summary concludes with a reaffirmation of the Eucharist's role in Catholic theology and practice, as the means through which Christ's salvific flesh is received.

Keywords

💡Eucharist

The Eucharist is a sacrament in Christianity that represents the Last Supper, where Jesus Christ is believed to have given his disciples bread and wine during his final meal with them, symbolizing his body and blood. In the video, Father Mike Schmitz emphasizes the Eucharist as the greatest gift God has given to humanity, highlighting its significance as God's very presence in the world. The video discusses how the Eucharist is central to the National Eucharistic Revival, a movement to rekindle the importance of the Eucharist in the lives of Catholics and the world.

💡National Eucharistic Revival

The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement mentioned in the video that aims to refocus the attention of Catholics and the broader public on the importance of the Eucharist. Father Mike Schmitz discusses this revival as an opportunity for the Church to re-emphasize the reality of Jesus Christ's presence in the Eucharist, which is a central theme of the video and a call to action for viewers to engage more deeply with this sacrament.

💡Scripture

Scripture, as referenced in the video, refers to the sacred texts of Christianity, which include the Bible. Father Mike Schmitz holds up the Bible as the word of God, emphasizing its importance in understanding the teachings of the Church, including the Eucharist. The video uses scripture to support the Church's teachings on the Eucharist and to illustrate the historical and theological basis for these beliefs.

💡Sacraments

Sacraments are rites recognized in Christianity as channels of divine grace. In the video, Father Mike Schmitz mentions all seven sacraments as God's work in the world. The Eucharist is highlighted as a unique sacrament because it is considered to be God's very presence, not just a symbol or a channel of grace, but God Himself in the form of bread and wine.

💡Body and Blood

The terms 'body' and 'blood' are used in the video to describe the belief that the bread and wine used in the Eucharist are transformed into the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. This belief is rooted in the scriptural accounts of the Last Supper and is central to the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist. Father Mike Schmitz explains that Jesus did not use figurative language when he said 'this is my body' and 'this is my blood,' but meant it in a literal sense.

💡Bread of Life Discourse

The 'Bread of Life Discourse' is a term used in the video to refer to a section of the Gospel of John (chapter 6) where Jesus speaks about the necessity of eating his flesh and drinking his blood for eternal life. This discourse is used in the video to emphasize the literal interpretation of Jesus' words regarding the Eucharist, distinguishing it from symbolic or metaphorical interpretations.

💡Incarnation

Incarnation refers to the Christian belief that God became human in Jesus Christ, taking on flesh and living a human life. In the video, Father Mike Schmitz discusses the incarnation as the hinge of salvation, emphasizing that it was Jesus' human flesh that suffered, died, and rose again, providing redemption for humanity. This concept is crucial in understanding the video's message about the Eucharist as the real presence of Jesus' flesh and blood.

💡Spirit

The 'Spirit' in the video refers to the Holy Spirit, one of the three persons of the Holy Trinity in Christian theology. Father Mike Schmitz discusses how Jesus, in John 6:63, distinguishes between the Spirit, which gives life, and 'the flesh,' which is of no avail in the context of fallen human nature. However, he clarifies that this does not negate the importance of Jesus' flesh in the Eucharist, which is a source of life and salvation.

💡Flesh

In the video, 'flesh' is used in two contexts: the fallen human nature, which is powerless without God's grace, and the flesh of Christ, which is the means of salvation. Father Mike Schmitz explains that while the flesh in the sense of human frailty is of no avail, the flesh of Christ, through the incarnation, is the source of life and redemption. This nuanced understanding is key to the video's exploration of the Eucharist.

💡Redemption

Redemption in the video refers to the act of being saved or delivered from sin and its consequences, which is achieved through Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Father Mike Schmitz connects the concept of redemption to the Eucharist, explaining that it is the flesh of Christ, given in the Eucharist, that effects this redemption. This term is central to understanding the transformative power of the Eucharist as discussed in the video.

Highlights

Father Mike Schmitz introduces a series on the National Eucharistic Revival.

The Eucharist is described as God's greatest gift and His very presence in the world.

The Church calls for Catholics and the world to recognize the reality of Jesus' presence in the Eucharist.

Jesus' words in John 6 are highlighted to establish the literal truth of the Eucharist.

The discourse in John 6 is explained to show Jesus' clear intention of a literal interpretation of eating His flesh and drinking His blood.

The reaction of the disciples to Jesus' teaching is discussed to illustrate the difficulty of the message.

Jesus' response to the disciples' difficulty, emphasizing the importance of recognizing His divine identity.

The incarnation is presented as the hinge of salvation, contrasting with the idea of 'the flesh is of no avail'.

The difference between Jesus' use of 'my flesh' and 'the flesh' is explained to clarify the Catholic teaching on the Eucharist.

The importance of the Incarnation for redemption and salvation is emphasized.

The Eucharist as the continuation of the Incarnation and the Last Supper is discussed.

Father Mike addresses misconceptions about the Eucharist by non-Catholic Christians.

The significance of the Eucharist in every Mass and its role in salvation is explained.

The talk concludes with a call to appreciate the incredible gift of the Eucharist.

Transcripts

this is right is this okay hi my name is

father mike schmitz and this is

ascension presents so we kind of are

continuing this little series we're

doing for the national eucharistic

gravity used to

hi my name is father mike schmitz and

this is ascension presents so we kind of

are starting this kind of us maybe once

a month every so often series for the

national eucharistic revival which is

you know going to be incredible these

next three years um the church is

returning again and again

to the reality of the greatest gift god

has ever given us i mean we we know this

right that the scripture the scripture

here is the bible in my lab here's

scripture this is god's word given to us

so good we know that the sacraments all

the sacraments all seven are god's work

in the world

but one of those sacraments the

eucharist

it's god's very presence it's god

himself in the world which is incredible

so the church is saying okay catholics

wake up to this reality the whole world

wake up to this reality that

jesus christ our lord and god

has given himself body blood soul and

divinity he's truly present in the

eucharist in every single mass that's

he's truly present so what happened is a

previous video we talked about how in

john chapter 6 jesus makes it absolutely

clear that when he says later on in

matthew mark and luke's gospel this is

my body in saint paul's letter to the

corinthians when saint paul is

recounting at the last supper when jesus

says this is my body this is my blood

that

that this truly became his body this

truly became his blood that the bread

and wine became jesus christ body blood

soul and divinity

so we established this why by looking at

what by looking at abe the lord's words

this is my body he didn't say this is

like my body or this looks like my body

or this is a symbol of my body but also

because of john chapter six where

jesus has the what they call the bread

of life discourse where he makes it

absolutely clear he says if you want to

live forever essentially if you want to

in the kingdom of heaven

you must eat my flesh and drink my blood

and again remember the jews remembered

about this and then so jesus did he made

it very clear he wasn't talking

figuratively or symbolically he was

speaking literally

and in john chapter 6 beginning with

verse 52 and then 53

jesus reiterates again and again amen

amen i say to you unless you eat the

flesh of the son of man and drink his

blood you have no life within you my

flesh is true food my blood is true

drink it iterates that five times

so then after this it says in verse 60

says then many of his disciples this is

the next teaching then many of his

disciples who are listening

said this saying is hard who can accept

it now part of that is

is establishing or clarifying

that they didn't interpret jesus to be

speaking symbolically or figuratively

because it's not a hard saying for jesus

to say hey eat some bread and think of

me drink some wine and think of me like

that's not a hard saying it's a weird

saying but it's not a hard saying the

disciples who were listening said

remember the disciples are different

than the crowd these are people who left

everything to follow after jesus and

they're saying

that this teaching

that jesus is going to give

them in us

his flesh and blood his body and blood

as food that we must eat to have eternal

life that's a hard saying jesus's

response is he asked the question he

says does this shock you which i think

the answer is yes quite shocking jesus

this is a very shocking teaching he goes

on to say what if you were to see the

son of man ascending to where he was

before question we all ask where was he

before answer heaven right basically

jesus is making it very clear he's

saying okay so i'm giving you this

really hard teaching it's a difficult

teaching i get it

but also do you know who i am

this is really critical

do you know that i am the one who made

the stars like all gajillion 100 billion

per solar system right like all of them

i made all of them i made everything i

can take some bread and some wine and

transform it into my body and blood so

jesus just i mean he doubles down

triples down he is not backing down

the next line though

is one that christians who don't accept

this teaching

is one they point to a lot

jesus asks the question does this shock

you what if you were to see the son of

man ascending torres to where he was

before and the next statement he says is

it is the spirit that gives life while

the flesh is of no avail

and a lot of times you'll have

christians who are not catholic will

point to that and say see jesus is even

saying the spirit gives life the flesh

is of no avail the flesh is meaningless

the flesh is powerless the flesh doesn't

do anything

now

it's important

we highlight this

why does the catholic church for the

last 2000 years teach

and when jesus says it is the spirit

that gives life while the flesh is a no

avail why does the church consistently

for 2000 years 100 of christians up till

500 years ago said

that that doesn't undercut what jesus

had just said

why well

because there's a word for the flesh or

there's a meaning of the term the flesh

saint paul talks about the flesh

saint john talks about the flesh when

jesus here says that it is the spirit

that gives life

but the while the flesh is of no avail

jesus says the flesh meaning fallen

human nature

is powerless right fallen human nature

is powerless to raise itself up because

we need god's grace absolutely the

spirit gives life while fallen human

nature is of no avail absolutely

absolutely helpless without god's grace

every time previously in john chapter 6

when jesus is talking about flesh he

says my flesh so my flesh is true food

my blood is true drink

now clearly in john chapter 6 verse 63

where jesus says it is the spirit that

gives life while the flesh is of no

avail there's a distinction between him

saying you must eat my flesh and drink

my blood to have eternal life my flesh

is true food and the flesh which is

fallen human nature being of no avail

now i hope that makes sense now but it's

not just this it's not just um the term

my versus the term the it's not just

here is jesus saying you must eat my

flesh and during blood and the flesh is

no avail how do we know without a shadow

of a doubt

that jesus is not saying that his flesh

is of no avail

because

every christian acknowledges what is it

that saved us what is it that can what

what is it that that brought about the

redemption of the world

it's the incarnation

what's the incarnation

the incarnate right incarnate spanish

the enfleshment the enmitment of god

and the fact that in his flesh

jesus christ lived he suffered he died

he rose in the flesh every christian

acknowledges it was that it is that that

incarnation

jesus taking on flesh

living loving healing suffering dying

and rising ascending to heaven in that

flesh that's what gives us life that's

what gives us redemption that's what

saved us so it would make no sense for

jesus to say my flesh is no avail

because every christian knows beginning

i mean not beginning with but all the

way back to the first century there's a

guy named tertullian and he says this he

says the flesh is the hinge of salvation

not referring to the fallen human nature

but referring to the flesh of christ is

the hinge of salvation

because it's his body his blood his soul

divinity given up for us on the cross

but also given up for us at the last

supper and at every mass

that saves us

so

in response to our brothers and sisters

who would look at that verse 63 in john

chapter 6 and say jesus is undercutting

he's backpedaling by saying it is the

spirit that gives life while the flesh

is a no avail we know there's a

difference between jesus saying my flesh

and him saying the flesh

there's also

there's also this recognition that it is

truly the flesh of christ the body of

blood sold divinity of jesus christ in

the incarnation that has redeemed the

world yeah and that's what we get to

receive at every mass

that's

that's incredible

anyway for all this your distance

presents

my name's father mike god bless

[Music]