Father Anthony reflects on the shock and promise of John 6:52–59, where Jesus’ words ignite dispute—“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”—because the Lord refuses to soften what He means: unless we eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, we have no life in us. He speaks with a holy insistence that feels almost too close, too concrete, as if salvation were not merely an idea to admire but a life to receive—His life, given to be shared.

Turn to the Example of a Sinful and Scandalous Saint!When we feel like there is no hope for our lost loved ones and no amount of prayers seem to work, Fr. Chris Alar gives us an inspiring lesson and example in St. Monica and St. Augustine.  

The Gospel presents a man described as “full of leprosy.” Not partially wounded. Not mildly afflicted. Completely sick. And yet this is the man who is healed — because he approaches Jesus correctly. Father Anthony Gramlich, MIC, explains that Scripture reveals three responses to spiritual leprosy. The first is pride: refusing to see one’s own sin while accusing everyone else. This leprosy cannot be healed because it denies the wound. The second is despair: seeing the sin clearly but believing mercy is impossible. This leprosy turns inward and never reaches the Physician.