Word on Fire is brought to you by Catholic cemeteries, serving the Chicago area since 1837.

This is Cardinal Francis George, and I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to reflect with Father Robert Baron on the Word of God, which is the Word on Fire.

Father Baron will challenge us to open our hearts to the Word on Fire, which is God's Word of Love for each of us.

If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us, who we might speak with love about the one who is love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago, through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parish and Winetka, now presents the Word on Fire.

Peace be with you.

Friends, we're continuing our reading today of that wonderful passage from the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, the Bread of Life Discourse.

Jesus' fullest explanation of presentation of the doctrine of the Eucharist.

The passage for today in some ways is the high point of this presentation, and it's one of the most shocking passages in the New Testament.

Those who heard it were not only repulsed intellectually, they were probably disgusted viscerally.

How come?

Because Jesus is telling them that He is the living bread come down from heaven, and that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to come to eternal life.

Now listen, even at a distance of 2,000 years, and after volumes and volumes of theological reflection, we can find these words, a little hard to take.

Look, that He's a spiritual teacher.

Okay, everybody can agree with that.

That He's an inspiring example.

No problem.

Even if you press it, that He must be the center of our lives.

Well, okay, people might say, maybe I'll get on board that train.

But that His flesh must be eaten and His blood drunk in order to have eternal life, I don't think so.

And we hear it in this gospel.

How objectionable they find this teaching, how they quarreled among themselves when they heard it.

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