Saying that the words He spoke were Spirit is not an adequate answer to me.
He said they are Spirit and Life. Not symbols and life.
The flesh without the spirit is useless. Bread without the word is not enough for life. We receive the spirit when we are baptized and we receive Jesus, the Word, in the bread when the Holy Spirit comes upon it just as He came upon Mary and she conceived.
Of all the “hard things” Jesus said, that particular one is the only one that made some leave. The only one which some could not accept.
Why tell them they had to EAT HIS FLESH and DRINK HIS BLOOD?
That's fine, and that's your choice. But you can't say no one answered your question.
He said they are Spirit and Life. Not symbols and life.
He also did not say they are flesh and life.
Of all the “hard things” Jesus said, that particular one is the only one that made some leave.
Not true. When Jesus told the man to sell all he had, give to the poor, and follow him, the man left.
Why tell them they had to EAT HIS FLESH and DRINK HIS BLOOD?
It's a spiritual act of receiving the sacrifice Jesus gave on the cross. I'm sure you won't agree with that answer, but you can't say your question wasn't answered. :)