The gospel for the twenty-first Sunday, Year B brings to an end the discourse on the bread of life delivered by Jesus in the synagogue in Capernaum. In the lengthy exchange with those who witnessed to the miracle of multiplication of loaves, Jesus challenged them to look not for the food that perishes but that which gives eternal life. This is exactly what Jesus wants to give to each one of us.

The conclusion of the discourse shows two different reactions to the bread of life discourse among Jesus’ disciples. On the one side there is a majority which consists of those scandalized by this teaching who abandon Jesus and return to their previous lives and occupations. On the other side there is a small group of the Twelve with Peter speaking on their behalf. As he admits, they haven’t understood either the meaning of his words, but they know who Jesus is and they know that he speaks the truth. So, none of the recipients of the discourse understood its message, but it created a division among those who followed Jesus until that point. From now on a much small group of Jesus’ followers will stay with him. But what the rational for their decision?

It cannot be the lack of comprehension of Jesus’ teaching. The Twelve didn’t get it either, but they remained with him. They stayed with him because they had experienced how their lives changed because of him. They stayed because to share their lives with him was more important that to understand his words perfectly. The Twelve knew the difference of having life with and without Jesus.

I think each of us at certain point made a conclusion on the gospel message: those teachings are hard. Probably we faced temptation to abandon Jesus, or perhaps we even did it. But today we want to remain with him, to follow him and come to know him more and more in spite of everything. This gospel reading reminds us that we cannot separate the teachings of Jesus from the person of Jesus. Christianity is not some kind of spiritual or moral training which is meant to make of us a perfect believer. Jesus invites us to stay with him not because of what we are going to give to him, but because of what he wants to give to us. Christianity is more about receiving than about giving. And we can give only that what we have received first. It may look so simple and easy and as today’s gospel reminds us it is not so.

In the Eucharist Christ shares with us his life and his very self. But only those who are willing to do the same can remain with him. Those who are not afraid that their lives will change, that they will see themselves and others in a new way. Each Eucharistic celebration is for us a time of decision between saying yes or not to Jesus, between moving ahead with Jesus or going back alone.