On the Back Porch
Reading, pondering and studying God’s Word is sometimes best done “on the back porch.” Each week we will try to offer something for you and your “back porch time.”
21st Sunday, Year B
What We Celebrate
For the last four Sundays we have been reading from John 6. The dialogue with the people (and the disciples) has been getting more intense/ The people are interested in more miracles, signs, and what they have to do to “get” this bread from heaven. Jesus’ language keeps “pushing the envelope” of what they are willing to accept – eat his flesh? “Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, ‘This saying is hard; who can accept it?‘” It is critical point in the life of the disciples. What will they do?
As always, a lot going on in the gospel reading. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take a moment on the back porch with the Word of God.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary
The Feeding of the Five Thousand by William Hole (1846-1917) | Edinburgh University Library | PD-US
Hard Sayings
Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”(John 6:60)
What is interesting is that if Jesus did not intend a Catholic understanding of the meaning “to eat His flesh and blood” there was more than enough opportunity for Jesus to say, “Hey wait a minute, let me explain…” But He doesn’t – in fact – as Jesus has spoken the language becomes even more stark and graphic. “As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.” (John 6:66)
In the video below, Bishop Barron speaks to deep mystery of eating “flesh of the Son of Man” in the Eucharist.