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Al, here are some plain words of Jesus from the Bible, Gospel of St. John, Chapter 6. They are further clarified at the Last Supper. For 1500 years Christians knew what they meant, but were told then that Jesus really didn't mean exactly what the words say. What do you think they say? Do you also find the saying hard?

[51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven.
[52] If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world.
[53] The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
[54] Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.
[55] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.
[56] For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed.
[57] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him.
[58] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me.
[59] 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.
[60] These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum.
[61] Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard, and who can hear it?

"This saying is hard, and who can hear it?"

I was born, reared and educated Catholic (Sacred Heart School - 1-12), with devout until death Catholic parents.

Being a non-practioner for a few decades I don't remember these quotes from John Chapter 6. Having read them in your post tonight, I agree wholeheartedly with those deciples who thought the saying is hard. Actually it sounds kind of cannibalistic/paganistic.

As a strict constuctionist as far as the US Constitution goes, my main argument is that the authors knew what they meant by the words they wrote and wanted us to understand the meaning of their words. It would seem that the Lord Jesus Christ should be able to meet that same standard. So if your quotes of John's quotes translated through several languages are accurate, I'm disappointed.