How do we know what Jesus meant?

[Ignatius]

When Jesus said, “This is my body”…Catholics believe that he was very literal. So since Jesus said it and I don’t believe Jesus to be a lunatic or liar, it is true. The host I see at mass IS his body. The wine becomes his blood…

However, Jesus spoke in parables and used symbolism constantly. He also said things like “I am the vine”…but Jesus as we know didn’t mean a literal vine… Using the same logic above, Jesus isn’t a lunatic or liar…that must mean he is a vine.

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Hi David and welcome.

Please, never feel bad about asking; this is how we learn.
I am going to answer your question: “How do we know what Jesus meant?”

Unlike the Protestants who have nothing to rely on but the printed word, we have the Deposited of Faith. Here’s how it works.
Jesus, the Son of God, taught the Twelve Apostles what we need to know for salvation. He then founded His Church and gave Peter the “Keys of the kingdom of heaven” and told them “whatsoever you bind on earth is bound in heaven…”.
The Apostles then went about carrying out this mission. The people who learned at the vary feet of the Apostles had the very same questions that every one has had ever since. However, they also had the Apostles to ask directly and therefore get the correct answers. This is the Deposit of Faith and the sure norm for the correct understanding of the teachings.
This has been passed down from generation to generation down through the millennia to this very day.

I would suggest getting a hold of the Patristic writings of the early Church and educating yourself as to how these things were understood by those who had first hand knowledge.

Another way to learn this is to read the conversion stories of the many protestants, especially very learned Protestant clergy who have discovered the way to find the Authentic meaning of the Scriptures.

May the Lord watch over you, guide you to Him and grant you all peace and joy.

Your brother in Christ.