Fomer prists argument on Eucharist/John 6

[Grace_Angel]

I had never heard this argument before - in trying to make sense of John 6 where the Eucharist is talked about.

This is from an ex-priest. Fairly recently ordained from a very orthodox seminary. He has left the church and is not preparing to become a minister.

He said we need to take John in context as we do all Scripture and this approach - in context and using the cultural norms at the time John was written lead him to come to believe that Protestants are right on this and the Eucharistic is symbolic or spiritual and can’t be take in a literal sense.

Here is briefly what he said. It sort of makes sense to me in a way.

Now for the literary context. How does Jesus talk about this Bread? He says that those that eat it will not die. This is critical to understanding what He meant and how He was using the words Bread of Life. We know for a fact that no one living today was alive in the first century. From that we can conclude that this promised eternal life is not literal or physical. It is said in a spiritual sense.

The words leading to that should, in context, be taken in the same sense. It is the same passage. So to make sense of this passage which has confused many go to context.

Jesus spoke of eternal life to those who eat his flesh. But eternal life was /is a spiritual, not physical, eternal life.

Likewise, to complement this and make sense of the passage the eating of his body must be taken spiritually and not literally.

What a gret sadness and what a great tragedy, that this former priest is leading his brothers and sisters away from the Lord and the Eucharist. What makes it more tragic is because of his former authority (priest) others may follow and believe him.
We are seeing the great apostasy where belief in the real presence in the Eucharist is being denied.
Rien please dont listen. He (priest) is not hearing the voice of Jesus, he is hearing a counterfiet voice and the devil loves this confusion and loves much more the confusion caused by the loss of a priest.
Grace Angel.

 

[po18guy]

I struggled with the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist, coming from a Protestant (Baptist) background, but the more I read and studied, the more amazed I became. Clearly the Church has always been in the wrong and the linguistics of John 6 are to be completely ignored–or the Church is right as rain (as usual)! Ask him if God is good. Then ask if he is Love. Ask him where else besides the Catholic Church he can receive, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, he who is Love in all his infinite goodness. Ask him, “Does he not care for us so? Is he not a Lover to us, desiring to touch us and in turn be touched? Desiring oneness with us? Yes? Then look at the Eucharist, and see his love made clear.” If that doesn’t work, smile and wish him well and pray for him. Here’s hoping.
Peace

What a convert! Amen Those who have looked at the church skeptically are the most fervent advocates, once the truth is revealed through the Holy Spirit. Praise God in Heaven!

Christ’s peace to all.