Catholic Context

The Catholic Church describes the Eucharist as “the source and summit of Christian life” (CCC 1324)

Since the early days or Christianity, all Christians have believed in the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Only after the Protestant reformation with Calvin and Zwingli start to deny this truth. Even Martin Luther is quoted as saying:

“I would rather have pure blood with the Pope, than drink mere wine with the Enthusiasts.” (Luther’s Works, 37, 317) (Enthusiasts referring to the Anabaptist and other reformers)

Today many Christians deny the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist in favor of a symbolic view. As in it is merely a method in which we share a meal with the Lord. But this is severely mistaken.

I want to first prove from scripture and church tradition that this is the case. Then deal with some common objections. Some major passages of sacred scripture that deal with the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist are:

• The Bread of Life Discourse (John 6)
• The Last Supper (Matthew 26, mark 16, Luke 22)
• 1 Corinthians 10
• 1 Corinthians 11
• Hebrews 13

Showing the true presence in church tradition is very easy. The earliest Christians even dating back to the direct disciples of the Apostles show this. For example in the apostolic and post apostolic age:

Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of John states that

Clement of Rome

Polycarp of Smyrna

The Didache

Justin Martyr

Irenaeus of Lyons

What is important to recognize is that Ignatius and Polycarp are direct disciples of John, and Irenaeus is a disciple of Polycarp.

How does this affect our Christology? How is the Eucharist the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ? is the divine nature Created? Do we become divine when we partake of the divine nature?