Jesus in Capernaum, reveals the mystery of the Eucharist, the transformation of bread and wine, Christ becoming present in the Eucharist- "a change of the whole substance of the bread into the body of Christ, our Lord, and a change of the whole substance of wine into His blood." (Catechism of Catholic Church #1376)
Several times Jesus compares the true Bread of Life to manna the Israelites received in the desert, a material bread to sustain them physically. Now Jesus is asking for a commitment of faith from his listeners to believe that He is the real food for sustenance to the soul for eternal life; food that man must eat, or literally chew.
From His "living Father"(Jn6:57), Christ has been sent and lives, so too we will live. He is the Living Bread and the Cup of the new Covenant offered on the altar of the cross. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven, whoever eats this bread will live, and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (Jn6:50-51)
What should be man’s thoughts as one comes to receive the Lord in communion? Profane reverence, gratitude, honor are His due; man has many faults and sins surrounding himself to prevent full communion. All man can offer is himself, humbly acknowledging his unworthiness and God’s goodness. Man can give Him praise, thanking Him for His kindness in giving man this food of Himself.
Man’s prayer comes from Ignatius of Antioch. “I only want God’s bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, and for drink I crave his blood, which is imperishable love.”
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