On The Eucharist
“Who do I think I am, that I should be bold enough to tell the LORD God what He can and can’t do?
Who am I that I should deem a miracle that He promised as impossible?
If He dares to say, “this is My body,” how dare I be bold enough to call Him a liar?
For the LORD God is not to be tested.
Though His mercy vast, as is His justice. In the same way creation existed when God spoke it into being, so too does the bread have no choice but to become His body.
Why?
Because He said so.
And what He speaks, He does so with purpose and intention. Far be it from me to suggest that the Savior of the world didn’t know how His words were to be interpreted. Though the Eucharist has been foreshadowed, though it be the only use of “covenant” in the New Testament, though it be what fulfills the Passover meal, though I have but every historical reason to believe it to be the will of God,
I believe it first because my LORD said it.”
This is a reflection I wrote two years ago when I came to my end attempting to explain the great mystery of the Eucharist.
Depending who you are, you might be asking yourself, “What IS the Eucharist?”
Or maybe even, “Why do Catholics make such a big fuss about it?”
“I take communion in my church service. Is there really a difference?”
Let me start by saying: As your friend, your sister, and a fellow believer,
I’m not here to condemn. I’m not here to prove.
I am solely here to testify to what the Lord has revealed through generations; why that matters to me, and why it should matter to you.
This is no longer a matter of preference. It’s a matter of leaning into Jesus and trusting what He said - for He Himself is Truth. And no matter how difficult the teaching, no matter how much my flesh gets in the way, it is my prayer that the anthem of our hearts regarding the Eucharist would look a little something like this: “Lord, to who else should I go? You have the words of eternal life.”(John 6:68) and “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) and lastly, and possibly the most important of them all, “Jesus, I trust in You.” -St. Faustina
Let me begin with some definitions.
The root of the word Eucharist, when translated, means “thanksgiving.”
In Catholic tradition, the idea of communion takes a different role compared to many protestant traditions. Communion isn’t just something we take, but rather, it is the pinnacle and purpose of our worship services. The Mass is completely based off being centered around the table of the LORD, dating all the way back to the Last Supper.
We believe that the Eucharist is truly Jesus Christ.
When we receive the Eucharist, we are receiving Jesus entirely - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
What a claim! And if it’s true - what a privilege! How could anyone carry on casually in their life if the Savior of the world was available to them in such an intimate way? To be received in fullness. To become one with He who is our life source.
Where do Catholics find basis for such a bold claim?
Well, let me start by saying, I am no theologian, no Church Father, no apologist. However, what I AM is a follower of Jesus Christ who asks a lot of questions, is quick to poke holes in things, and won’t believe something just because my parents told me to. I used to think that I was just a doubt-ridden, unbelieving, pessimistic follower who ought to see to believe. A friend ultimately encouraged me by giving me the nickname of “truth-seeker.”
You see,
It’s not bad to wrestle. It’s actually scriptural. (Genesis 32)
However, what we do in the wrestling is absolutely vital and a test of our faith. If we turn to despair and distress because of our lack of understanding, the father of lies will creep in and corrode our basis of hope and faith - and ultimately sabotage any possibility to stand in awe and wonder of mystery.
Anyways - with this knowledge, I need you to know that the Eucharist was and is the biggest reason for my Catholic faith. And, if you know me, once I am bought into something, there is no going back.
I’m either in it, or I’m not.
The mystery of the Eucharist was something that captivated my attention at the ripe age of thirteen. I was absolutely boggled by the fact that the God of the Universe, not could, but would enter into a piece of bread for the sake of intimacy with me. I didn’t seem to understand - it couldn’t possibly make sense to me.
I spent my teenage years fascinated, enthralled, and yet filled with questions at the idea of my Lord and Savior being physically present in front of my eyes in the Blessed Sacrament, and yet my vision prevented me from seeing Him. I couldn’t manage to see Him with my eyes, but more than this, I sought to see Him with my heart.
When I arrived to Samford University in 2021, I like to think that I came in guns a blazing, eager to convince people that Catholic theology was the best way to go, especially since I was fresh out of my Apologetics course from senior year. I had never felt so passionately about what God commanded being available within the Catholic Church. Not exclusively, but it sure as heck made the Christian life make all-the-more-sense when I traced it back to Christ instituting His Church.
So, back to my initial point: Where do Catholics find their basis for such a bold claim as to say they have the key that unlocks the physical and sacramental presence of Jesus Christ?
Firstly, the infallible Word of God:
John 6:51-66
Matthew 26:26-28
1 Corinthians 10:16
Luke 24:30-35
Acts 2:42
Here in many different forms, there is the introduction of the Eucharist by Jesus Christ Himself. He begins saying that He is the bread that has come down from Heaven. However, He goes on beyond just talking about His origin being disputed by the people, whether His origin was of Joseph or of Heaven. After identifying Himself as the living bread, He goes on to say, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you…for My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat My flesh and drink My blood, remain in Me and I in them.” (John 6:53-36) It says that the Jews grumbled, saying, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” Jesus goes on to reiterate that the flesh is useless when trying to make sense of these bold mysteries that He proclaims.
It is also notable that in the Greek translation of the text, the verb “eat” is “phagein" meaning to literally eat, gnaw, or consume. The Greek allows for no metaphorical dilution. When questioned, Jesus doesn’t clarify saying that this teaching is symbolic. Rather, He doubles down on what He said, resulting in the loss of disciples. (John 6:66) Surely the Son of God knew how His words were to be interpreted, most especially when read in the Jewish context they were spoken - a time of kosher laws where the scandal of cannibalism was great, and where preaching falsehoods in the synagogue were gravely offensive and punishable by death.
Secondly, Tradition:
(Disclaimer: I used to think “Tradition” was a way that Catholics would identify practices of old that had no real trace. I was so naive as to think that some man somewhere down the line pulled some idea out of thin air and no one was allowed to speak out against it. I couldn’t have been more ignorant.)
Tradition is the lived and taught Word of God. Tradition is spoken by the Holy Spirit and supported through the authority of the Church instituted by Jesus Christ Himself. There is no competition between Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. You actually can’t have one without the other.
For it is said,
“Brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.” -2 Thessalonians 2:15
“I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I handed them onto you.” -1 Corinthians 11:2
Preserved within Early Church History, specifically writings of the Church Fathers, writings of the Saints and martyrs, and early defined doctrine, it is clear what was practiced in the generations that followed Jesus Christ and His apostles.
St. Ignatius of Antioch (c.35-107 AD): Wrote to the Smyrneans, “Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions… they abstain from the Eucharist because they do not confess it as the flesh of our Savior.”
St. Justin the Martyr (c. 100-165 AD): In his First Apology, He describes the Mass: the bread and wine become the flesh and blood of Christ, received by believers.
Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130-202 AD): “The Eucharist is the medicine of immortality, the antidote against death.”
Tertullian (c. 155-240 AD): Warned against heretics - denying the Eucharist’s reality was a serious error.
Many Early Christians were persecuted and executed by Romans because they would not sacrifice to idols instead of receiving the Eucharist. St John the Apostle wrote the Gospel and Revelation, defended the belief on the Eucharist in his writings. Ignatius of Antioch, a student of John, directly passed down the teaching of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and was later martyred for not renouncing his beliefs. St. Polycarp of Smyrna, a disciple of John, was martyred ~155 AD as he upheld his belief in the Eucharist.
Though Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist is difficult, it is even more difficult for me to imagine that John didn’t hound the LORD with questions following His Institution of the Eucharist in the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6. I can only imagine that His Apostles walked away from this sermon asking more questions, in his humanity, “Lord, how could this be?”
I trust strongly in the account of the Apostles and their testimonies. I am aware that the world could not contain all the books written about what Christ accomplished in His ministry on this earth. (John 21:25) John’s direct followers LOST THEIR LIVES for the sake of holding fast to this teaching. In a single moment they could have renounced the presence of Jesus under the appearance of bread, but they didn’t. How strong their conviction must have been that the words Jesus spoke were that of irrefutable Truth!
It wasn’t until the 15th century that shared beliefs on the Eucharist began taking a turn, resulting in schism and watered-down truth, which has resulted in heresy. Here is the vague progression that might surprise some Protestants as well as some Catholics:
Martin Luther (1483-1546) - believed in “consubstantiation”: Christ’s body and blood are present “in, with, and under” the bread and wine, not a symbolic memorial.
Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531) - believed the Eucharist is purely symbolic, a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice, denying the Real Presence.
John Calvin (1509-1564) - taught a spiritual presence: Christ is present in faith, but the bread and wine do not literally become His body and blood.
Prior to the 16th century Reformation, Christians: Catholic, Orthodox, and the early Church, were united overall believed in the Real Presence. The view of the Eucharist being strictly symbolic started with Zwingli, a Swiss Reformer and contemporary of Luther. Most Evangelical churches today follow his view of Communion - being a symbolic remembrance, which shapes their practice of the Lord’s Supper, which starkly contrasts with modern Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
I could speak extensively about Church History and Eucharistic Tradition - however, I’ll seek to leave it at this. I truly believe every Christian should feel empowered and find great confidence as they research the significance of the Eucharist to the Church, as well as the significance of the Eucharist to the individual.
If you are interested in researching further parallels beyond John 6, here are some resources that I have discovered are great starting points:
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist - Brant Pitre
The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth - Scott Hahn
The Fourth Cup - Scott Hahn (Book or Podcast on Spotify)
There are also a multitude of resources through Catholic Answers and Pints with Aquinas.
I have found it highly beneficial to study the Scriptures in the context they were written, particularly regarding the Jewish feast of Passover. When John the Baptist said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” This phrase encompassed far more than many eyewitnesses could have initially imagined.
Jesus is the Paschal Lamb.
the Paschal Lamb sacrificed for freedom - Jesus is the Lamb of God, sacrificed for humanity’s freedom from sin (John 1:29)
the Lamb that had to be unblemished - Jesus is the perfect and spotless sacrifice (1 Peter 1:19)
the Lamb whose blood on the doorpost saved Israel from death - Jesus’ blood smeared on the wood of the cross saved us from death (Matthew 26:28)
The Lamb must be slain and eaten entirely - Jesus institutes the Eucharist by giving his Body and Blood prior to His death. It isn’t enough for the Lamb to die. It must also nourish the people. (Exodus 12:8) (Luke 22)
No bones of the Lamb are broken - Jesus’ weren’t broken on the cross, fulfilling the prophecy - John 19:36
The shared meal strengthens the community - The Eucharist strengthens the Body of Christ, just as Passover united Israel (Acts 2:42)
If you are ever interested in discussing the power of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist, my messages and email inbox are always open. Hear me when I say, I am no theologian. Just a girl who wrestles, questions, and wonders how such a great miracle could be made available to me. He really does seem too good to be true sometimes! However, His generosity is not dependent on my ability to comprehend. And what joyous news that truly is.
May we continue to grow in awestruck wonder with every day that passes knowing Christ our Savior.
In Christ,
Emma
