The Word Made Flesh

Christ began to be flesh in the Virgin Mary's womb, but we know that He did not begin to exist at that moment. Saint John says: "What existed from the beginning." Remember the words of Saint John's Gospel that we proclaim at the end of every Mass: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God."

This "Word" that Saint John refers to is Christ's physical body. At a predetermined point in time, God chose to reveal this Word that existed from the beginning. Saint John therefore writes: "...life itself was revealed." Life itself (Christ) was revealed in the flesh. The Word was made flesh so that mankind could see and touch it.

Saint John goes on to say: "And we are witnesses and we proclaim to you that eternal life which was with the Father and has been revealed among us...We proclaim to you what we have heard and seen." The disciples had the privilege of seeing the Lord face to face and hearing the words He spoke. We have also heard, although we have not seen. However, we are no less privileged than the disciples because we share the exact same faith!

"And our fellowship is with God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son. And we write this to you to make your joy complete."

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Real Presence Continued

When some of those present heard these words they were shocked and murmured among themselves, “This kind of talk is hard to endure. How can anyone take it seriously? Eat this man’s body? Drink His blood? Does He think we are cannibals?” Seeing their reaction, Jesus cautioned them that His words are not to be taken in a crudely carnal sense. Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. In other words, when they see Him ascend into heaven, they will not find it so difficult to believe that He gives His Body and Blood in a spiritual way that they cannot now imagine.

Even with this explanation, many of Jesus’ disciples found His words too much to believe; they “broke away and would not remain in His company any longer” (6.66). But instead of retracting His words or explaining them away, Jesus let the unbelieving disciples depart. He is even prepared to let the Twelve leave Him if they will not believe: “Do you also want to leave me?” Speaking in the name of the others, Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Peter and the other disciples do not understand how Jesus will give His body as real food and His blood as real drink, but they believe in Him, and that is all that Jesus requires of them.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching