This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.” John 6:58
It should be noted that consuming the bread as manna did not bring eternal life, but eating the bread of Life provides for those who live forever.
Agreed! And how many "forevers" does it take to have eternal life? It seems Jesus, in pretty clear terms, is speaking of a one-time event of "eating" since he says the one who eats this bread SHALL live forever. Believing in/on Him IS eating and drinking Him - not the pretended conjuring that must take place every time where a simple flour and water cracker and ounce of grape juice MUST be transformed into the literal flesh and blood of Jesus (pre-resurrection) in order to be consumed so that eternal life is imparted again and again. It is a "faith" deal all the way! It couldn't be plainer.
I really don't understand the fierce anger and animosity that gets spewed here when some Catholics simply cannot abide that REAL Christians have a different understanding than they do on this subject. Blood has even been spilled because of it! I'm perfectly willing to let the Lord determine who are really his. I have a clear conscience before him and trust that the faith I have been given is true and that I have everlasting life through Christ.