My flesh for the life of the world. Homily for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.

This is the third of our five reflections upon chapter 6 of John’s gospel. I’ve suggested that a helpful way to understand John’s account of this miracle is to use the analogy of a staircase with four levels. At level 1, the ground floor, we have the story of the miracle. At level 2 we’re reminded of God feeding his people during the Exodus with manna. But manna only satisfies a physical hunger. At level 3 Jesus tells the people that he is the bread of life. Whoever eats this bread will never hunger. Finally, on level 4 Jesus tells the people that the bread that he offers is his flesh for the life of the world.