Mt 13:54-58
Flesh, blood: When Jesus declares, “The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world,” the Jews “murmur” in unbelief. Their revulsion is complete when Jesus speaks about his blood as true drink. Literal drinking of blood was prohibited in Judaism and perhaps in early Christianity (Gn 9:4; Acts 15:29). The Jews cannot go beyond the physical, and so misunderstand Jesus’ promise.
Jesus will provide food for the life of the world. In place of the manna and the gift of the Torah, the Jews are told to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus who is the Son of Man.
“Flesh” has to do with the incarnate life of Jesus. He, the divine Word, became flesh, a human being in its weakness and mortality. “Blood” has to do with his very real death. To be eaten and to be drunk means that the flesh is to be broken and the blood is to be spilled. Jesus now speaks of the separation of his flesh and blood in a violent death as the moment of total giving of himself. Jesus speaks of the inevitability of his death on the cross.
Later, the believers will have to ask: Where do we encounter the revelation of God in the flesh and blood of the Son of Man? How can we partake of his flesh and blood? The evangelist’s insinuation of the Eucharistic language in Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life provides an answer: one encounters the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharistic celebration.
Jesus will provide food for the life of the world. In place of the manna and the gift of the Torah, the Jews are told to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus who is the Son of Man.
“Flesh” has to do with the incarnate life of Jesus. He, the divine Word, became flesh, a human being in its weakness and mortality. “Blood” has to do with his very real death. To be eaten and to be drunk means that the flesh is to be broken and the blood is to be spilled. Jesus now speaks of the separation of his flesh and blood in a violent death as the moment of total giving of himself. Jesus speaks of the inevitability of his death on the cross.
Later, the believers will have to ask: Where do we encounter the revelation of God in the flesh and blood of the Son of Man? How can we partake of his flesh and blood? The evangelist’s insinuation of the Eucharistic language in Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life provides an answer: one encounters the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharistic celebration.