jesus, truly present in the eucharist
“This is the work of God: have faith in the One Whom He sent.” —John 6:29
During this week, the Church will read to us from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, the Bread of Life discourse. Jesus reveals the profound truth that He is the Bread sent from heaven for us to eat and have eternal life (Jn 6:50-51). In the first half of this discourse, Jesus tells us multiple times that we are to believe He is the Bread of Life (Jn 6:29-47). He starts this discourse by stating that believing in Him is the very work of God that we are to do during our life (Jn 6:29).
This Easter season, the Catholic Church in the USA is concluding a three-year Eucharistic Revival. How fitting that the Bread of Life discourse in John 6 is the grand finale of this Revival. At the end of the discourse, “many of His disciples” found Jesus’ claims to be too hard (Jn 6:60). They broke away from Jesus and would not remain with Him any longer (Jn 6:66). So it still is today, as surveys show that well over half of the registered Catholics in the USA do not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Do “the work of God” (Jn 6:29). Study the Bread of Life discourse in chapter six of the Gospel of John. Study other teachings on the Real Presence in the Eucharist, particularly the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1322-1419. The teaching is clear, and the bishops are working to revive belief in the Eucharistic Jesus. Do you believe what Jesus revealed about Himself in the Eucharist? Do you really believe that Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist? Or will you also leave Him? (Jn 6:67)
Prayer: Father, “make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will meditate on Your wondrous deeds.” —Ps 119:27
Promise: “It is on [Jesus] that God the Father has set His seal.” —Jn 6:27
Praise: Sandra has been instrumental in leading several of her neighbors to new life in Jesus.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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