Dear Father Bloom--
I have a friend who thinks John 6:50-60 is symbolic. He does not accept the Eucharist as the true presence. He claims that when the Jews walked away when they couldn't accept what Christ said about eating his flesh and that Christ actually knew that the Jews were thinking canabilism but that Jesus actually meant his saying as symbolic. My friend claims that Christ would not call them back to explain the mixup about his saying because it was against Christ's law to try to explain or convince someone of his teachings.Jesus just laid out the Truth and let others use their free will to accept it or not according to my friend.
I know my friend is wrong. I know what Christ meant. Can you help me out and tell me where my friend has it wrong?Where and why can his argument be refuted?
I know this is a lengthy question and I appreciate your help........
Glenn Dickerson
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Your friend does not seem to give Jesus much credit as a teacher. Did you ask him why Jesus did not at least explain the "mix-up" to the disciples? He apparently was ready to allow even them to leave (see 6:67).
You will probably not convince your friend by argument. What you need to do is to spend time yourself before Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
My prayers. Please also remember me. God bless,
Fr. Bloom
P.S. Catholic Answers has some great tracts on the Real Presence
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