John 6:51-58 comes at the end of a passage in John’s gospel where Jesus talks about himself as the bread of life. What began with a miracle meal of bread and fish for more than 5000, ends with Jesus saying, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life and I will raise them up on the last day . . . Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.” The words can sound gruesome to our ears, but they can also sound like Holy Communion to our ears because that’s where we feed on Jesus and receive his life-giving, life-sustaining bread. Jesus’ message is clear: feasting on him and on his presence in word or sacrament gives us life!

In communion we are fed the body of Christ. In the meal that we share when we gather around the church’s altar, Jesus promises that whoever feasts on him has eternal life and will be raised on the last day. It is a promise that we can taste for ourselves whenever we receive the bread or drink the wine of communion. Jesus, who came to be God among us, offers himself each time we come to his table. Take this bread. Drink this cup. Receive the life that Jesus offers to us.

We don’t have to understand what Jesus means when he says “eat my flesh” or “drink my blood.” We are simply invited to trust that when we share in the meal that he offers us we are absorbing his promises for us.