From The Bishop

In the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John we find what many scripture scholars call the Bread of Life Discourse. Jesus states, "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." (Jn. 6: 51) In the next verse we are told that many in the crowd questioned how this man could "give us his flesh to eat." Jesus responds, "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. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink." (Jn. 6:52-55) Many found this teaching difficult and were offended. We are told that "because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him." (Jn. 6:66) In response, Jesus turned to the 12 disciples and asked them if they also wished to go away. Peter responded, "Lord to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (Jn. 6:67-69) Unfortunately, 2,000 years later this teaching continues to create division among the Lord's followers. In the Roman Catholic tradition we believe that Jesus' words are truth and that they must be taken literally. In the context of the eucharist (mass) the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. In Holy Communion the congregation is receiving the "the Bread of Life," Jesus Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "The eucharist is 'the source and summit of the Christian life.' The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch." (1324) Not all Christian churches would have this same belief regarding the eucharist. Although I cannot speak for these churches, it is my understanding that some believe that Jesus' words are not to be taken literally. When, at the Last Supper, He says, "take and eat, this is my body," and, "take and drink, this is my blood," he was speaking figuratively. They believe that the Lord's Supper is a symbolic remembering of Christ as the bread is eaten and the wine is consumed at the time of communion. This is the opinion of the respected Swiss Reformed theologian Karl Barth. He believes that the bread and wine do not become the body and blood of Christ because God cannot be contained in human elements. The bread and wine serve the "function and capability" of indicating and confirming the fellowship of the community with its Lord (Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics: IV.3.2 the Doctrine of Reconciliation, 29: 55). It is because of the significant differences among Christian churches regarding the eucharist or Lord's Supper, that the Catholic church does not practice or encourage inter-communion. We maintain that there has to be unity in belief and doctrine before we can fully appreciate the unity found in sharing the eucharist. This division is a painful reality; however, it can also move us to action. Through ecumenical dialogue we are able to work toward full and visible unity so that one day all Christians will be able to share the Bread of Life. The Most Reverend Gerard Bergie is bishop of St. Catharines. Source: https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/living-story/8658231-bread-of-life-teachings-continue-to-divide-christians/