Eucharist
Is the Eucharist really the real presence of Jesus? Many of our Protestant
brothers and sisters say no. Even some Catholics find it hard to believe
that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Jesus. Hard to
believe or not, our Church has always taught that the real presence of Jesus
is contained in the form of bread and wine at Mass. Many things are hard to
believe, but should we believe them? The scriptures, especially John 6,
indicate it is Jesus’ flesh and blood. Early Church fathers taught the
same. St. Ignatius of Antioch who died in the Roman Coliseum about 110 AD
wrote: “I have no taste for corruptible food or for the pleasure of this
life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ”
(letter to the Philadelphians). St. Justin Martyr, beheaded for the faith
in 165 AD wrote: “We call this food Eucharist; and no one else is permitted
to partake it, except one who believes our teaching to be true. Not as
common bread nor common drink do we receive these” (First Apology).
These early fathers continue the teaching Jesus left the early Church.
Their teachings have been passed on through the centuries, with other saints
and theologians holding true to the same reality that Jesus is really
present in the bread and wine. May the historical affirmation of this
belief help those who doubt and strengthen our own belief in the Eucharistic
presence of Jesus Christ. |
