Hi Kyle, Some people think that “the flesh does not avail” (v. 63) is proof that certain preceding sentences (v.51-58) are only “figurative”. But before I address this…

I’m not sure you are right about “living water”, but you make a good point about “my food is to do the will of the one who sent me”. According to this mode of interpretation, “the flesh” of verse 63 may be a figure for unbelief.

In fact, Christ’s flesh does avail. Cf. Jn 6:51, Heb 10:20; Heb 9:11. Our bodies also avail as instruments of righteousness. Cf. Rom 6:13, 19; Rom 12:1.

Moreover, the continous history of the Church indicates a bodily interpretation.

Jn 6:51-8 are not fully explicit as to transubstantiation the way Justin and Irenaeus and Cyril are. Even Mark is more explicit than John on this point. Cf. Mark 14:22. However these verses in John are explicit that we must eat and drink Christ’s body and blood.

Scripture says that Christ died once bodily on a Cross to redeem myriad souls and bodies by drawing all things to himself. Cf. Jn 12:42. I don’t know where the Scriptures say Christ’s Body cannot be in more than one place at once.

P.S. Tom, Catholics believe that participating in the Eucharist is our salvation. Cf. Jn 6:56, 1 Cor 10:16.


Last edited by patricius79; Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:32 PM.