It seems obvious that when Jesus is speaking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, he is speaking metaphorically. But exactly what sort of metaphor is he using? And what does it mean exactly? Apparently it’s important enough that we do whatever it is that he’s telling us we must do or we shall not be able to participate in the life he is giving to us in these things.

It seems to me that it’s a mistake that is commonly made in modernity to think that there’s only one true answer to a question like that. In the scientific age we have accomplished marvelous things by carefully applying precise meanings to statements, carefully defining terms and then rigorously using logic to manipulate our ideas. And while we do live in an Age of Marvels, such an existence comes with a cost. If we imagine that there’s only one proper way to crack open the meaning of a statement, we miss the nuance and the interplay of other truths that are contained within the idea.

Many words have been written to explain what Jesus meant to tell us when we told us that we must eat and drink his body and blood. What if they are all parts of the Truth that Jesus is inviting us to experience? If that is true about this teaching, is it true about his other ones? And if his teachings in the Gospel have multiple meanings, is it possible that other lessons that we learn, both in and outside of the Church can have similar multiple meanings? And if that’s the case then maybe there’s a truth to be heard in the voices of people we don’t want to hear…?

That final bit seems important to think about these days.

You can view the sermon video directly at this link.