the obvious interpretation ( sorry Kriss) is Jesus telling us the power of the eucharist. Now obviously the jews were not thinking this, because the words "eat my flesh" also meant to attack and persecute in aramic. Jesus was saying " attack and persecute me and you gain eternal life."and also " eat my flesh ( the eucharist) and gain eternal life." both were true, we attacked and persecuted Jesus which allowed him to be the sacrificial lamb and we also partake in the eucharist to be closer to him.Amazing.[quote}Its not that I completly disagree I just think it is symbolical rather than literalwhich doesnt take away from the teaching. Which I basically agree with.And you are right it is so much more than a book it is the LIVING WORD of God to be living means alive and grows as we grow in it