Pat Arensberg: John 6, part 2

“As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.”  -John 6:66

Many things can be said, but I would like to start with the end first.  The crowd took Jesus literally.  When Jesus did not correct this literal interpretation and explain what “he really meant” they figured he was nuts.  As a result of them taking Jesus literally, they left him.  Why didn’t he stop them and correct them?  In fact, after they leave he turns to the 12 who were left (seems like the whole crowd left).  Jesus does not explain the “real” meaning of what he had been teaching.  Rather, he simply asks them if they are going to leave over this notion too.  Simon Peter’s answer is really quite remarkable.  Knowing that Jesus has just told the crowd that they have to literally eat his flesh and drink his blood, and not knowing how this would be fulfilled in the Eucharist Peter says, “Master, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.”  To paraphrase, “Jesus, I really don’t know what you are talking about, but if you tell me I have to gnaw on your flesh then I will.”  I imaging there was great relief at the Last Supper when Jesus turned the bread and wine into his body and blood.

But, I got a bit ahead of myself, huh?  The end of the chapter sure seems to be very strong evidence that Jesus means it quite literally, but is there anything else?  Yes.  On Monday, I would like to give a bit of a blow by blow summary of what is happening in John 6, and then on Tuesday I will argue that if we know that God is love and that humans are body and soul, then we should actually expect something like the Eucharist.  Stay tuned, and have a great weekend!

About Pat Arensberg Patrick Arensberg is the Director of Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Mobile. Previously, he taught for 17 years at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, where he served as Chairman of the Theology Department. He attended the Gregorian University in Rome and holds an M.A. in Theology from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He is married to Connie and they live in Mobile with their 5 children.