Essay, Research Paper: The Belief In The Eucharist As The Real Prescence Of Christ

"My flesh is true food, my blood is true drink" (John 6:55) These were the words
spoken by Christ himself, during the initial institution of the Eucharistic sacrament. Such
phraseology, a primary article of Catholic belief was intended to be perceived in its
literal sense, as opposed to metaphorical interpretation. The Eucharist is a sacrament of
the Lord's supper, consisting of consecrated elements which have undergone
transubstantiation - a change in essence. Such transformation results in what is referred to
as 'Real Presence' - the complete "body and blood, together with the soul and divinity of
our lord Jesus Christ" (Catechism,1374). Despite variations throughout history in
understanding of Eucharistic presence, the actual dogma of transubstantiation has
remained unchanged since the Catholic Church's first recorded teachings of such a
notion in 33A.D. The concept of 'Real Presence' was undoubtedly accepted in its literal
sense throughout the first millennium AD, questions remaining unposed until the
reformation of the 1500s, when the church was exposed to much disunity. The division
within the church preceded the formation of an Ecumenical council in Trent, where
Episcopal powers aimed to re-enforce belief in Real Presence - to restore, through the
Eucharist, a unity of the 'one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church'. Despite periodical
variation, the second Vatican council of 1962, boasting a multiple presence of Christ in
Eucharistic worship, was built upon similar motives to that of Trent. This essay will
focus on displaying the unrelenting belief in the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Christ
through summations of Eucharistic dogma provided by both the Council of Trent and
Vatican II. There will also be an inclusion of excerpts from scripture written by Early
Church Fathers surrounding belief in Real presence, and a primary focus on
Transubstantiation as proof of the consistency of the belief in the Eucharist as the
complete "Body and Blood, together with the Soul and divinity, of our lord Jesus
Christ."(Catechism,1374)
Eucharistic dogma involves the complex concept of Transubstantiation - literally a
change in essence. Such a notion involves the presence of the Holy Eucharist, as the real
body and blood of Jesus, initiated at the moment of consecration. Despite arguments
opposing literal interpretation of Real Presence, there is no evidence implicating an
existent element of doubt within Catholic documentation in relation to the historical
belief in Transubstantiation. There are however, many evident writings by Early Church
Fathers to support literal interpretation of the belief in the Eucharist as the Real Presence
of Christ, as opposed to symbolical perception theorised by fundamentalists. A clearly
outlined belief in Real Presence is offered in Ignatius of Antioch's words of wisdom -
"Strive then to make use of one form of thanksgiving, for the flesh of Our Lord Jesus
Christ is one and one is the Chalice in the union of His Blood, one alter, one bishop". In
relation to the concept of transubstantiation, Saint Ambrose (340-397) the Bishop of
Milan, wrote: "Let us be assured that this is not what nature formed, but what the
blessing consecrated, and the greater efficacy resides in the blessing than in nature, for by
the blessing nature is changed". Saint Augustine, an influential figure in the history of
Christianity, professed his belief in Real Presence through this literary contribution - "It
was in His flesh that Christ walked among us and it is his flesh that he has given us to eat
for our salvation". It is such excerpts from scripture as these that convey a historically
profound belief in the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Christ, and evident
comprehension by the Early Church of whom attested to the belief in Transubstantiation.
Despite historical variations in interpretation regarding the substance of the Eucharist,
Christian beliefs have remained consistent. The 1500s witnessed the initiation of the
Protestant reformation where 'consubstantiation' took precedence over transubstantiation
in many reformed believers perception of the Eucharist. Consubstantiation refers to an
understanding of Jesus as 'in' the Eucharist, as opposed to Christ as the entire flesh,
blood and divinity of the Eucharist, - in its literal sense it is a 'sharing of substances'.
Under the initiative of primarily Martin Luther, the Catholic Church formed a basis for
three offspring divisions - Lutheran, Calvinist and Anglican, the first two of whom
expressed a dissatisfaction with Catholic doctrine. Thus, new forms of worship were
devised which resulted in a separation in the Catholic Liturgy. This Protestant
Reformation preceded the formation of an Ecumenical council in Trent whose primary
intention was to define Catholic doctrine, reinforcing beliefs and teachings in an attempt
to resolve problematic occurrences within the church. Of the twenty-five meetings which
were scheduled, much time was allocated to discussion regarding the liturgy and the
Eucharist. The council succeeded in reaffirming a historically profound Catholic belief in
Real Presence and Transubstantiation - Eucharistic meaning was defined, declaring
assuredly that "the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and therefore the whole Christ, is truly, really and substantially contained in
the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist". The Council also came to the conclusion that "He
(Christ) gave the command to offer the Sacrifice as the Church has understood and
taught". Regarding the professions of the Ecumenical Council, at the moment of
consecration the whole substance of bread and wine becomes that of Jesus Christ - whole
and entire. "Jesus is really now on Earth in the Eucharist" - it is this statement that has
led the Catholic Church to reaffirm belief in transubstantiation and profess the reality of
Real Presence so passionately. "Do this in memory of me" - a primary article of Catholic
belief spoken by Christ himself, is thus literally embraced and alive in the Eucharistic
sacrament, and confirms the belief in Real Presence in the Eucharist.
"At the Last Supper, on the night He was handed over, Our Lord instituted the
Eucharistic Sacrifice of his Body and Blood to perpetuate the sacrifice on the Cross
throughout the ages until He should come, and thus entrust to the church, His beloved
Spouse, the memorial of his death and resurrection: A sacrament of devotion, a sign of
unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is received, the soul is filled
with Grace and there is given to us the pledge of future glory."(Vatican Council II). This
statement was put forth by Vatican II, another excerpt from Catholic documentation
attesting to a belief in the Eucharist as Real Presence. Vatican II initiated on October 11
1962, was a conglomeration of Catholic Church hierarchical members, constructed upon
the same lines to that of the Council of Trent. During this period, the church was
confronted with a collective change in consciousness, a mass breaking away from
conformitism and dogma. The people demanded freedom, freedom in belief and
expression, they fought for 'love not war'. Unlike the period surrounding the reformation,
the 'rebels' of this particular era did not migrate towards beliefs in similar religious
ideas, but strived to completely separate themselves from all dictatorship and
authoritarianism. Due to the pressure exhibited by this new generation, the Catholic
Church felt pressured to revise and update its current practices, "to let some fresh air
come into the church" (Pope John XXIII). The Council focused initially on Liturgy, in
which participation became the primary element, a drastic transgression from the
previously conducted mass which basically excluded the parishioner from partaking in
the proceedings. The council came to the conclusion that the liturgy is "an action of
Christ the Priest and of His Body which is the Church". Vatican II re-enforcement of
Eucharistic Real Presence is the same belief beheld by the Ecumenical Council of Trent,
and that of Ignatius of Antioch, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine who all attributed to
scriptured writings of the Early Church. A belief held relentlessly throughout the history
of Catholicism - the first millennium, the reformation and post-1500s. The belief in the
Eucharist as the Real Presence of Christ is perhaps the most important article of Catholic
doctrine, it is a binding belief which witnesses a unity in diversity. "Really sharing in the
body of the Lord in the breaking of the Eucharistic bread, we are taken up into
communion with him and with one another" (Chap.1,VaticanII)
The Belief in the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Christ is notably a religiously,
historically and socially prevalent teaching of the Catholic Church, instituted by Christ
himself. Early Christian theologians fully comprehended the notion of transubstantiation
and consecration, interpreting Christ's words surrounding the Eucharistic sacrament in
there intended literal sense. It is to be noted that twelve times throughout scripture, Christ
said that he was the bread that came down from heaven, and an additional four times
claimed that they would have "to eat my flesh and drink my blood". It is through his
perfectly displayed intention to be perceived literally that no evident Catholic document
exists where the literal interpretation is opposed and only the metaphorical accepted. The
first millennium failed to witness any element of doubt in relation to the concept of Real
Presence in the Eucharist. Only throughout the period surrounding the Protestant
reformation did anyone profess an doubting element of faith. The Church, however,
responded through reaffirming a perpetual belief in the true essence and entirety of Christ
present in the Eucharist at the moment of consecration. From the foregoing evidence
presented, proving a continuous belief in Real Presence from the institution of the
Eucharistic sacrament at the Last Supper, it would be incredibly difficult to deny the
intended literal interpretation of Real Presence in the Eucharist. There is proof from
Early Church Fathers, Episcopal powers from the Council of Trent, the professions of
Vatican II and primarily from Christ himself, the high priest who offered his sacrifice -
his body, his blood. He is now relived, received and remembered - his presence continues
and is celebrated universally in globally vast Catholic tabernacles. "As the living father
sent me, and I live because of the father, so he who eats me will live because of me"
(John 6:37)