A couple days ago, I was telling you that it is shocking that many Catholics separate themselves from the Eucharist, from the food that guarantees us eternal life. I said that we can spend all kinds of money and resources to live longer, but we don’t receive the Body of Christ that will provide a happy life forever. Why? The answer can be found in the Gospel reading for today. We read that “Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, this saying is hard; who can accept it?” and then: “As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him.” Yes, it is extremally hard to understand what Jesus is saying -- how can someone eat Him, eat His Body? That sounds crazy! But Jesus doesn’t want His listeners to understand but to believe. He wants us today, not so much to understand but to believe. And it is hard to believe. It is difficult to believe that Jesus is truly present in that host during the Mass. Many Catholics think this is only a symbol; so, if it’s a symbol, then it has only a symbolic meaning. Would that symbol give you life eternal? No! If someone thinks that the Eucharist is only a symbol, then they will not come to receive it. “As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him.” It is hard to believe when your senses tell you otherwise. That’s why we need to constantly ask Christ to increase our faith.
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