The Eucharist: More Than a Symbol
The doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, where Christ is truly present—body, blood, soul, and divinity—has deep roots in scripture. It’s a mystery at the heart of Catholic belief that has been reaffirmed for centuries. Yet, this teaching isn’t just based on tradition or theological interpretation; it finds its support directly in the words of Christ and the writings of the Apostle Paul.
The Words of Jesus in John 6
Jesus Himself spoke about this mystery in a powerful and often controversial passage in the Gospel of John. In John 6:53-58, Jesus says:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
These words are not metaphorical; they are strikingly literal. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, not merely as a symbolic act, but as a means to partake in eternal life. His listeners found this teaching difficult—even offensive—and many walked away. But Jesus did not soften His claim or clarify it as symbolic. He doubled down, making it clear that He was speaking about a profound mystery.
The Institution of the Eucharist
Later, during the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, and His words echo the earlier teaching in John. In all three Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—Jesus takes the bread and says, “This is my body,” and takes the cup, saying, “This is my blood of the covenant.” The repetition of these words in multiple accounts of the Last Supper reinforces their significance.
For instance, in Matthew 26:26-28, Jesus says:
“Take, eat; this is my body… Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
He uses the same language in Mark and Luke. There is no indication that He intended these words to be understood metaphorically. Jesus establishes a new covenant through His body and blood, and He commands His followers to “do this in remembrance of me,” not as a mere act of recollection, but as a participation in His sacrifice.
Paul’s Teaching on the Eucharist
Paul, who was not present at the Last Supper, writes about the Eucharist in a remarkably direct way. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, he says:
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”
This passage is significant because it is the only time Paul directly quotes Jesus. It suggests that the importance of the Eucharist was foundational in the teachings that Christ imparted to Paul, likely after his conversion. The fact that Jesus would reveal this directly to Paul emphasizes the central role of the Eucharist in Christian life.
The Real Presence and Worthy Reception
Paul goes even further in 1 Corinthians 11:27:
“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.”
If the Eucharist were merely symbolic, why would it matter if one received it unworthily? Being “guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord” implies a real and profound presence that carries consequences. Paul does not treat the Eucharist as a simple memorial or symbol but as an actual participation in Christ’s body and blood. To receive it improperly is to desecrate something holy.
The Mystery of Faith
The doctrine of the Eucharist is not an easy one to grasp; it challenges our understanding and calls us to a deeper faith. The real presence is a profound mystery, something that has been embraced and pondered by the Church for over two millennia. It’s a truth that Christ did not shy away from proclaiming and one that Paul was entrusted to pass on.
The Eucharist is not just a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice but a true encounter with Him. It invites us to participate in the life He offers and to be transformed by His grace. When we approach the altar, we are not merely taking part in a ritual; we are meeting the living Christ who comes to dwell within us. This is the heart of the Catholic faith—a mystery that goes beyond words but is made real in the breaking of the bread.
In the Eucharist, Christ invites us to take and eat, to drink deeply, and to live forever.
