This coming Sunday is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time. “It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (6:63)

John 6:63 is often a verse that one arguing against any Eucharistic interpretation of the whole of John 6 brings forward. The logic goes like this: “Jesus is saying things that are confusing.  His disciples think he’s being literal.  Jesus clears it up by saying “No not at all. I’m not saying that you should eat my  flesh.  My flesh profits nothing!  I’m speaking with Spirit and life, which is metaphorical in nature.”  Continue reading →