Divine Love Within – Reflection on John 6:52-59
Consuming Christ requires us to believe beyond ordinary understanding and comprehension. To do so is difficult because this belief requires us to reach beyond the physical to the profoundly spiritual. Occasional glancing is insufficient; we must consume the reality of Christ in multiple ways and allow Him to mingle with our human self. The person we are is not replaced but incrementally bound together into the here and now of eternal life with Divinity. Do not fear the mutual life lived with God, both spiritually and physically. Along with increasing faith and sacrifices, we become willing and welcoming earthly tabernacles overflowing and opened for divine love within to ripple outward.
Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue by James Tissot, painting at full resolution
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website
Additional Eastertide Reflections
John 6:52-59 – Scripture*
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.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 6:52-59 Reflection – Divine Love Within.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 6 passage.
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