Jesus as the bread from heaven offers a different kind of nourishment to us. Jesus is not like the previous manna that came from heaven. That nourishment lasted only a day or so. Jesus’ nourishment is eternal.
But how do we ingest this nourishment? (how does one consume a metaphor?!) In addition to the elements we use to celebrate Holy Communion, how do we eat Jesus’ flesh and drink his blood? What are the ways the Holy Spirit uses to transform us to be more like Christ?
We live in a consumer culture. We are accustomed to purchasing and using things for our own ends. When we consume (and ingest) Christ, our ends are subverted… our hearts and desires are transformed. Our transformation to be more like Christ becomes the ends.
Everything we consume changes us. Are you sure you want to be more like Christ?