=rchapm77;5888200]Thank you for the scripture references, these are very challenging. Starting with the text in Mt 26, my mind immediately goes to the story of the samaritan woman in John 4, Jesus offers the samaritan woman living water, yet this does not seem to be actual water. Jesus uses the term to say what he offers has similarities to water, it satisfies a thirst and gives eternal life. This is confirmed in John 7 when again Jesus brings up the phrase living water starting in verse 38, in 39 it says He was speaking of the Spirit, Who would be given to believers. It would follow that if living water isn’t water but the Holy Spirit, than ‘the bread of life’ could also be a term used by Christ to express the characteristics of what He is offering. The conclusion I would reach on this passage is that Chirst is THE Bread of Life, symbolic that He is the only thing that can sustain life, and satisfy the inward being. By drinking in His blood, we approprate His sacrifice for us and His very life (His blood) is now within us giving us life.
But I must admit, from the passages you referenced I do see sound reasoning for the doctrine of real presence.
Let me see if I can further qualify my position? Your responce was EXCELLENT, very well thought out. Thank you.
**First **I would point out that even in the well chosen example you selected, Christ Himself, first person singular, is the “living water.” Agreed?
**Second ** The “Bread of Life discourse” is far more specific and detailed in its language, which led to the immediate and widespread acceptace of the Catholic Position in the early Church. Acts.2: [42] "And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and the prayers" This last part being a direct reference to the Eucharist.
From Jn. Chapter 6: “
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. “ [This is in the “contractual language” of the time]
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven;
if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and **the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."
**“For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. “ How can one honestly claim that this, oh so graphic, so definitive, language means something other than what it say’s. Keep in mind thousands were “lion food”, crucified, and in other ways tortured, because of understanding and firm belief in Chrsit Real Presence. One would harldy be willing to endure these pains for a “mere symbol.” One would not offfer ones own life.
Paul as you know wrote the earliest Teachings. In 1 Cor. 11: 1Cor.11 Verses 20 to 30
[20] When you meet together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.[speaking of "the Last Supper / Passover discourse, whrein Christ instituted this agust Sacrament] For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, COLOR=“darkred”]“This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. [27]
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. **For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body **eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
Paul could be speaking of only the Most Holy Eucharist. How can one bring judgement on themselves by simply eating a normal or symbolic meal. [Gluttonly is not mentioned]. “Some have died” [condemed themselves to hell, for unbelief!]
No, friend, Christ is exceedingly clear.
No Christian can deny that God is “all-Good and all-Powerful.” Thus God is able to do any GOOD that He Wills. God being present in Catholic Holy Communion, REALLY Present, is the GREATEST GOOD in the history of the world. The real question is “not can God do this,” rather, WHY would [and did] He chose to do this.
I have written a detailed explaination of WHY, but it is far to long for the Forum.
Love and prayers my friend.
Pat
