DeepSummary
In this episode of the Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses one of the most profound teachings of Jesus from the Gospel of John - the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Christ. He delves into Jesus' powerful words recorded in John 6, where he tells his disciples that unless they eat his flesh and drink his blood, they will have no life in them. Despite the disciples' confusion and many leaving him over this teaching, Jesus reiterates it five times, making it clear that he is speaking literally.
Fr. Mike emphasizes that this teaching is not symbolic or metaphorical but a reality that Jesus instituted at the Last Supper, instructing his apostles to 'take and eat, this is my body' and 'take and drink, this is my blood.' He highlights the gravity of this teaching, noting that for the first 1,500 years of Christianity, all believers accepted the Eucharist as the true presence of Christ, and to deny it would be tantamount to accusing every Christian of idolatry for worshipping bread and wine.
Fr. Mike invites listeners to kneel before the tabernacle in a Catholic church, where the body and blood of Christ are reserved, and to give their hearts to Jesus, following Peter's example of trusting in the Lord's words even when they are difficult to understand. He emphasizes that this teaching is central to the Catholic faith and a powerful invitation to encounter the living Christ in the Eucharist.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Jesus clearly taught that the Eucharist is his true body and blood, not a mere symbol.
- For the first 1,500 years, all Christians believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
- To deny the Real Presence would be to accuse all early Christians of idolatry, which God would not allow.
- Despite the difficulty of this teaching, Jesus did not retract it when many disciples left him.
- Like Peter, we are called to trust in Jesus' words and encounter him in the Eucharist, even when we do not fully understand.
- The Eucharist is central to Catholic worship and a profound invitation to receive the living Christ.
- The consecrated bread and wine at Mass become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ.
- Christ's presence in the tabernacle is a powerful place to encounter him and give him our hearts.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “But there are some of you that do not believe. For Jesus knew from the first who were those that did not believe and who it was that would betray him.“ by Jesus
- “If this interpretation is wrong, that means that all Catholics worship a piece of bread. That means that all Catholics, basically, for the last 2000 years, which also means that the first 1500 years, every Christian was guilty of idolatry in the most horrible degree.“ by Fr. Mike Schmitz
- “Jesus said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.“ by Jesus
- “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that you are the holy one of God.“ by Peter
- “This is the one interpretation that 100% of Christians believe for 1500 years, that in the mass, in the Eucharist, that is truly Jesus Christ, the bread and wine transformed into his body and blood, and he is in every tabernacle in every catholic church throughout the entire world.“ by Fr. Mike Schmitz
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Episode Information
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension
4/9/24
Today we read about Jesus' powerful teaching about the Eucharist. Fr. Mike invites us to believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ because Jesus said it himself. Today's readings are John 4-6 and Proverbs 5:7-14.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear.
Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.