Bible Study Question

Does Studying the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6 deepen your appreciation of the Eucharist?

March 2nd, 2010 Dina McNulty No comments

After reading John 6, it becomes crystal clear that Jesus sees himself as the fulfillment of the Passover we read about in Exodus. This is such an important connection because it really ties the Old Testament to the New Testament and helps us to appreciate how the Eucharist is the center of Catholic life.

Jesus knew he was going to ascend into Heaven after his resurrection and that there would be those people who would not believe that he would make his presence available to us in the Holy Eucharist. I believe that the Bread of Life Discourse ( John 6:22-59) reveals this to us. We see those disciples part from Jesus because this was a hard teaching and it still is a hard teaching as many of our Protestant Brothers and Sisters in Christ cannot make the Holy Eucharist the center of their Christian faith and come to believe in the real presence and gift of Christ’s offering. I believe that Jesus is showing us in this discourse that this teaching would indeed be hard to understand and therefore, there would be division among us concerning this teaching. But Jesus didn’t expect us to understand, he just expected us to believe. This is what is revealed to me every time I read this discourse. Jesus knew of the trouble we would have with this truth which is the center of the Catholic faith, and he tries to tell us that even despite our limited ability to recognize his full presence, we only need to take Him at his word. Read more...

John 6:22-59
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek

22The next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea, saw that there was no other ship there but one, and that Jesus had not entered into the ship with his disciples, but that his disciples were gone away alone.

23But other ships came in from Tiberias; nigh unto the place where they had eaten the bread, the Lord giving thanks.

24When therefore the multitude saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they took shipping, and came to Capharnaum, seeking for Jesus.

25And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him: Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

26Jesus answered them, and said: Amen, amen I say to you, you seek me, not because you have seen miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of man will give you. For him hath God, the Father, sealed.

28They said therefore unto him: What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?

29Jesus answered, and said to them: This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he hath sent.

30They said therefore to him: What sign therefore dost thou shew, that we may see, and may believe thee? What dost thou work?

31Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

32Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say to you; Moses gave you not bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

33For the bread of God is that which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life to the world.

34They said therefore unto him: Lord, give us always this bread.

35And Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that believeth in me shall never thirst.

36But I said unto you, that you also have seen me, and you believe not.

37All that the Father giveth to me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will not cast out.

38Because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.

39Now this is the will of the Father who sent me: that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again in the last day.

40And this is the will of my Father that sent me: that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.

41The Jews therefore murmured at him, because he had said: I am the living bread which came down from heaven.

42And they said: Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then saith he, I came down from heaven?

43Jesus therefore answered, and said to them: Murmur not among yourselves.

44No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day.

45It is written in the prophets: And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard of the Father, and hath learned, cometh to me.

46Not that any man hath seen the Father; but he who is of God, he hath seen the Father.

47Amen, amen I say unto you: He that believeth in me, hath everlasting life.

48I am the bread of life.

49Your fathers did eat manna in the desert, and are dead.

50This is the bread which cometh down from heaven; that if any man eat of it, he may not die.

51I am the living bread which came down from heaven.

52If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world.

53The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

54Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.

55He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.

56For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed.

57He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him.

58As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me.

59This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.

Categories: Bible Study Questions Tags: bible study question, Eucharist Gift, John 6

Why Would a Good God Let People Suffer?

October 23rd, 2009 Dina McNulty No comments

Question:

How would you respond the next time someone asks you,
“If God is a good God, how can He allow innocent people to suffer?”

Because we humans can’t completely understand the mystery of suffering we feel that a good God would not allow innocent people to suffer. But, do we really know what God, who is the only one who bears all wisdom, has in store for the person who suffers? Furthermore, can we be certain that the person who suffers doesn’t have the joy of God as well giving great meaning and purpose to his life? Is it the person who suffers who we should feel sorry for, or is it the person who has everything that earthly ways can obtain, but has no faith, who we must feel sorry for? Does God hand out suffering with no joy and only misery, or do we perpetuate our own misery when we decide we don’t need Him?

We need to always remember the special people in our lives who inspire us with their faith. These are the people who endure many different kinds of misfortune and still manage to hold the joy of God in their hearts. Many of these people offer their sufferings to God for the sake of the good of His Kingdom. Despite their suffering, they have joy because they have purpose. Mother Teresa willingly suffered for God and maintained her joy, but ordinary people suffer and have joy too. These are people who hold onto their joy of faith. These are people I work with, attend Mass with, go to Bible School with, etc. The person we really need to pray for isn’t the person who suffers, but it is the person who lacks the joy that comes from faith in God. In a sense, you could say that the person we need to pray for most is the person who can’t accept his sufferings because he lacks the faith to trust God in all matters of his life. Read more...