Commentary on the Gospel of
Source of forgiveness
If receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus calls for a total surrender of one’s life for Christ, how many people would dare to receive it?
As the listeners grapple with the concept of the Body and Blood of Christ for eternal life, they face a choice: either to leave like many did, finding this teaching intolerable or to stay as the twelve did, cleaving to the hope and truth found in the Words of Christ.
Fr. Richard Rohr underscores that participating in the Eucharist is an act of alignment with Christ's suffering and resurrection, calling us to a transcendent unity where we acknowledge God's presence in all of creation.
Simon Peter's poignant confession, "You have the words of eternal life," captures the essence of our faith. Just as the early disciples struggled, we too encounter teachings of our faith that challenge and perplex us. It's a call to spiritual maturity—to stay steadfast despite confusion or doubt.
However, Jesus offers his body and blood for the forgiveness of the sins of those who believe: it is the food offered to the pilgrim people—sinners, weak, tired, and in need of help.
"All of you, drink from this, for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The Eucharist is not a celebration of our purity and holiness; rather, it is the source of forgiveness of sins and a means of transforming us into alter Christus—another Christ.
