Almighty God, by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, you turn us from the old life of sin. Grant that we who are reborn to new life in him may live in righteousness and holiness all our days, through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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Gospel: John 6:51-58 (NRSV)
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51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. 
52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever."
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Reflection
Three words stood out as I read through this week's gospel reading - Eat, Abide and Live. Jesus speaks each of these words in the reading. Eat and live are used multiple times but abide only once. While I most often believe I know exactly what words I read mean, sometimes I turn to Webster to see what meanings my dictionary offers up. The definitions found often lend themselves to reflection. The definition for eat is to put in the mouth, chew and swallow, to use up thoroughly, to consume. What is it that Jesus asks of us when he says, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you?" How can we eat His flesh and drink his blood, taking in or swallowing the very essence of the One sent by God for our salvation? Jesus truly shed his blood on the cross for us. His body was broken, chewed up, through crucifixion. As you gather around the Lord's Table for communion this week consider the sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us. Take in not only the wafer and the wine but take in the true meaning of his body and blood given that you might live.
If we eat, Jesus says we will live forever. One of the definitions for live is to make one's dwelling or to reside. If we take into our hearts, minds and bodies, the Lord Jesus through his teachings, through word and prayer and sharing in the sacraments, we make our dwelling place with Him and He dwells within us. Jesus also uses the word, life defined by Webster as that property of plants and animals which make it possible for them to take in food, get energy from it, grow, adapt themselves to their surroundings, and reproduce. Indeed taking Christ into our hearts, dwelling in Christ can bring energy and help us to face and adapt to our day to day life challenges. Knowing Christ's love living within us, we are able to abide - to stand fast; and to remain with Jesus and He with us.
Unless you eat
Of the flesh of the Son of Man
And drink of His blood,
And drink of His blood,
You shall not have life within you.
And I will raise him up,
And I will raise him up,
And I will raise him up on the last day. (ELW #48)
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