His Flesh and Blood

In John chapter six, Jesus made one of the most controversial sayings of his entire ministry when he told a synagogue audience that they must “...eat his flesh and drink his blood” in order to have eternal life.  What critical truth was Jesus trying to set forth with this teaching? Are we supposed to take this statement literally? If Jesus truly is the Bread of Life, what does that mean for our lives in the here and now?  (A Message for Communion Sunday)