Friday, May 1, 2020 - Third week of Easter Time - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St. John 6, 53-60 - Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him, says the Lord.

Nowadays, it has become almost obvious to say: "eat the body and drink the blood of Christ". This was not the case with the Jews in Jesus' time: it was difficult for them to understand how one could eat the flesh and drink the blood of a person.

We Christians know that Christ has risen from the dead and we believe that He is with us, among us through the Eucharist. "Eating the flesh and drinking the blood" means "taking communion", "taking part in the Eucharist". However, this act requires purity and dignity for communion with Jesus to be effective. And St. Paul has already warned us: "Whoever has eaten the bread or drunk the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner shall be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord". The bread that comes from heaven and gives life is none other than Jesus who communicates with the faithful in the Eucharist.

The Eucharist that nourishes us in faith, unites us and guarantees us eternal life. Let us prepare ourselves spiritually to be worthy to participate in Eucharistic communion, and let us pray constantly for those who cannot receive communion for various reasons.