The Pope: let us allow ourselves to be provoked and converted by Jesus and his “word of eternal life”

Patricia Ynestroza-Vatican City

“In today’s Gospel, Jesus invited the crowd and the disciples to interpret and believe in the sign of the miracle of the loaves, which is the true bread that came down from heaven, the bread of life; and revealed to them that the bread he will give is his flesh and his blood. These words sound harsh and incomprehensible to the ears of the people ”, specifies François, to the point that from that moment,“ many of his disciples turn around, that is to say, they stop following the Master. Then Jesus asks the Twelve: “Do you also want to leave me? “, And Peter, on behalf of the whole group, confirms the decision to stay with Him:” Lord, to whom are we going? ? You have the words of eternal life, and we believe and know that you are the Holy One of God, ”said the Pope.

“Before the prodigious gesture of Jesus, who feeds thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fish, all acclaim him and want to take it away,” said the Pope, “but when he himself explains that this gesture is” a sign of his sacrifice, that is to say of giving his life, his flesh and his blood, and that those who want to follow him must assimilate him, his humanity given by God and by others, so no, this Jesus is no longer right “”, added.

Jesus’ words cause a scandal

The Holy Father, analyzing the attitude of those who withdraw and return, deciding not to follow Jesus, asks himself: What is the origin of this unbelief, what is the reason for this refusal.

“Jesus’ words cause a great scandal: he says that God has chosen to be manifested and to achieve salvation in the weakness of human flesh. The incarnation of God is what causes scandal and is an obstacle for these people, but often also for us, ”said Francisco.

Indeed, continues the Pope later, Jesus affirms that the true bread of salvation, which transmits eternal life, is his own flesh; that to enter into “communion with God, before observing the laws or fulfilling religious precepts, one must live a real and concrete relationship with him”.

This means, said the Pontiff, “that we must not persecute God in dreams and images of greatness and power, but we must recognize him in the humanity of Jesus and, therefore, in the brothers who cross us. on the way to “God was made of flesh and blood: he stooped down to become a man like us, he humbled himself to accept our sufferings and our sins, and he asks us to seek him, therefore , not outside of life and history, but in our relationship with Christ and with our brothers ”, affirmed the Pope.

The “scandal” of the Eucharist

Even today, says Francis, the revelation of God in the humanity of Jesus can “cause scandal and is not easy to accept. “This is what Saint Paul calls the“ foolishness ”of the Gospel in the face of those who seek miracles or worldly wisdom. And this “scandalosity” is well represented by the sacrament of the Eucharist ”, and it is this as the Pope asks:“ ¿¿what meaning can this have, in the eyes of the world, on his knees before a piece of bread? Why eat this bread regularly? ”

Finally, his request: “Let us ask for the grace to allow ourselves to be provoked and converted by his“ words of eternal life ”. May Mary Most Holy, who gave birth to her Son Jesus in the flesh and united in his sacrifice, help us always to bear witness to our faith through our concrete life ”.

Greetings after the Marian prayer

In his greetings to the faithful present in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis greeted the priests and seminarians of the Pontifical North American College and the families of Abbiategrasso and the motorcyclists of Polesine.

He also greeted various groups of young people: from Cornuda, Covolo del Piave and Nogaré, in the diocese of Treviso, from Regoledo, in Milan, from Dalmine, Cagli and Pescantina, near Verona, and the scout group from Mantua. To all of them he wished that this trip they made to Rome would help them to walk in life on the path of the Gospel. I also greet the boys of the Immaculate Conception.