ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on March 29, 2004

Dear Liane: When Jesus was talking about the vine, living water, etc. he was speaking in parable and metaphor. He does not do that in John 6. The language in John 6 is literal and there is no evidence to the contrary. The burden of proof is to show that John 6 is a metaphor. That fact that she equates this with the vine/living water analogies tells me that she is very ignorant of Biblical textual styles and forms. But the ultimate proof that Jesus was talking literally is that the disciples he was talking to took it literally. They took it so literally that they could not handle the teaching and left Jesus. When the disciples were walking away Jesus DID NOT call them back saying, "Hey guys, come back, I was only speaking figuratively". Jesus held his ground and stood by his teaching even to the point of risking the loss of the Twelve. Jesus turned to the blessed Twelve and said, "Will you leave me too?" Jesus did not back off of his teaching even if it meant losing the Twelve. What parable or analogy in the Bible did Jesus ever do that? In addition, the Christians in the first century were called "cannibals" by many people at the time. This is recorded by non-biblical historians at the time. If they were merely eating bread and drinking wine why would they be called cannibals? There is NO POSSIBILITY of denying the literal nature of the teaching of Jesus in John 6, except by personal delusion. As for convincing your friend, do not hold your breath. Prejudice thrives on "I am made up my mind, don't confuse me with the facts." It is not our job to convince anyone; only God does that. It is our job to explain our faith to those who asks. We should explain our faith as persuasively and convincingly as possible, but not in thinking that WE convince anyone. Explain the faith, and let God do the rest. Avoid unproductive argumentation, as St. Paul admonishes us in Titus 3. We will be in prayer for you and your friend, God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary