Worship Elements: Communion: Sacramental Union (John 6:22-65)

Our Lord makes the promise that the one who eats of the bread and drinks of the cup eats and drinks the flesh and blood of Christ.  How can Christ say such a thing?  We we really want to slaughter our Lord, cannibalize his body, and celebrate such a wicked act?  However, when Christ speaks this sounds exactly like what Christ is inviting us to do.  So, what do we do with this strong language?  How can such language be encouraging?