John 6:56-69

Varied Reactions - Notice the wide range of responses to Jesus that emerge among his followers throughout this passage: complaining (v. 61; also cf. vs. 41 and 43), disbelief (v. 64), rejection (v. 66), confession of faith (vs. 68-69), and betrayal (vs. 64, 71). "In the face of Jesus’ most explicit offer of himself to those who believe, even many of his followers turn away." [1]

Prayer From The Divine Liturgy - Freely Thou hast given me Thy Body for my food, O Thou who art a fire consuming the unworthy. Consume me not, but instead enter into my members, my veins, my heart. Consume the thorns of my transgressions. Cleanse my soul and sanctify my reasonings. Make firm my knees and body. Illumine my five senses . . . For you art our Master and God. [2]

Insight - To share in the eucharistic meal is not to remember or commemorate one particular event, but it is to share in all of Jesus’ life, including ultimately his death. Participation in the eucharist creates a relationship between Jesus and the believer (6:56) that contains within it the promise of new life. [3]

 

How did you feel when you were first rejected by a friend or sweetheart?

What teaching do Jesus’ followers find so unacceptable? Why?

In the final analysis, why does Peter-and the other eleven disciples-elect to follow Jesus despite what appears to be a major rift and reduction of popularity?

What words are hard for you to accept?

Have you known anyone who stopped following Jesus? How did their action affect you?

 

Please check the archives for homilies based on this passage.

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[1] New Interpreter’s Study Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003), page 1921.
[2] The Divine Liturgy According to John Chrysostom (PA: Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of America, 1967), page 107.
[3] New Interpreter’s Study Bible, page 1920.