Video on this Sunday's Readings (21st Sunday in Ordinary Time)

In this Sunday's lectionary readings we hear the finale of the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6. In particular, this video focuses on Jesus' words: “Do you take offense at this? ^62 Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? ^63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:61-63).
Many have pointed to this passage as evidence that Jesus' words in John 6 are unrelated to the Eucharist, i.e., it is argued that in saying saying, "the flesh is of no avail", Jesus meant "my flesh is of no avail". From this the case is made that in John 6 Jsus was speaking only metaphorically of "belief", making no allusion to the Eucharist. As you'll see, I disagree with this approach.

This video should really be viewed within the larger context of the other comments made on the series of readings from John 6. If you have not yet seen them you can find them (in order) here, here, here, and here.

Sunday, August 23, 2009: Liturgy Reflection from JP Catholic University on Vimeo.