NOTES for Joh 6:30-35

A very interesting conversation takes place in today's Gospel reading. Jesus says that the true bread from heaven is not the manna that Moses gave the Jews in the wilderness, but He Himself, Jesus. It is perfectly clear that none of His listeners understands Him. The sacrament of the Eucharist has not yet been mentioned. Jesus gives no precise explanation of why or how He is bread. He simply proclaims the truth and gives people the opportunity to engage with this truth themselves. He is not afraid that He will be misunderstood—although, of course, no one could possibly understand Him at that moment. Jesus' word is simply placed in the heart, sown like a seed. In due time it will bear fruit. This is probably important for us: even if we do not understand something in the Gospel, one day His words will become clear to us. Even if the person with whom we are speaking does not understand what we say about God, if that person wants to listen, it makes sense to speak, praying that His word will later be revealed in the heart.