Why do Catholics believe in the Eucharist?

[luthier93]

There certainly is a spiritual dimension to the Eucharist. But I haven’t seen any poster here reduce it to a mere spiritual or mystical encounter. Like another poster said, the wine becomes the ENTIRE Jesus, body, blood soul and divinity. That doesn’t mean we only see it as a spiritual communion. We believe it really is HIM.

I can’t judge whether or not someone is saved or not, but I can confidently say we do have a different point of view, one that exceeds mere semantics. Both Catholics and Protestants believe that Christ is present mystically/spiritually everywhere, like a forest for example. Yet not even us crazy Catholics worship a tree or a bush. We do however, worship the Eucharist. So I would say there is a bigger difference than simply semantics. I’ve never seen Protestants have 24 hour adoration or anything of that sort at all, I do see Catholics falling on their faces in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Again, not judging individuals souls, but I see a bigger difference than word play here, just simply in the way that Catholics and Protestants talk about and treat the Eucharist. (Of course, there are Catholics who are ignorant and treat the Eucharist like a symbol, but I’m talking about Catholics who understand their faith well.)

It’s the exact same difference between God’s presence with His people before and after the Incarnation. God was always present mystically/spiritually with the Israelites, but then He became flesh and dwelt among us!!! See, Catholics see the Eucharist as an extension of the Incarnation. He still is dwelling among us! Not just spiritually as He did before the Incarnation, but physically as well, just hidden under the appearance of bread and wine. Again, just like he was hidden to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Though they couldn’t see him with their eyes, He was truly present with them, not just in a mystical sense, but physically as well.

But just know it’s not us who are saying you should receive the Eucharist, that’s Jesus himself. “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life in you. For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.” (Jn 6:55-56) We just are taking him at his word.

I’m glad though that you said in another post you at least see where we are coming from now. It’s a start!!

Thanks for your kind words…I’m always open to other interpretations that I’ve been used to, as long as they fit with the character and words of God. Like you Catholics, we Messianics differ from the Protestants in believing that there is much more to obedience and acting out your faith and belief in Christ. They way we do this is through the observance of the Torah (again, not for salvation, but for obedience’s sake). God says: “If you love me you will obey me.” I respect that you try to obey Jesus by following the Eucharist. At this point, I’m not settled with the fact that God really wants us to do it.
Thanks for everyone’s insights though!

 

[josh987654321]

Ok, I’m sorry to bring up another issue here, but it seems important.
I understand you to mean that the purpose for the Eucharist is so that you can worship the “host” bread and wine as if they were Jesus.
I’m not trying to challenge anyone here, but frankly I don’t see how that is any different from idolatry. God told us in the book of Exodus not to make an image of Him, since we have never seen his shape. So why would we attempt to do something very close, which looks no different to an outsider, by worshipping the wafer and wine?
Looking at it this way makes it seem to me like an early ploy of the Devil. I’m sure no one thinks of it that way, but it’s disturbing to me. Any explanations/refutations of this issue?

I am so glad you are asking these questions luthier93, I’m glad you are seeking truth with an open mind and heart, because the absolute truth of the Eucharist is the one fundamental truth that converts so many to Catholicism.

The thing about Catholicism, is that we are either way right. Or we are way wrong. We are in no middle ground.

Because your right, if it’s just a wafer and there is no change of substance, than we are committing idolatry. However the Eucharist is truly the flesh and blood of Christ.

There is a change of substance, the bread and wine truly become the flesh and blood of the living Christ under the appearance of bread and wine.

You might say “well Josh, that’s no proof, I could claim that any idol became the flesh and blood of Christ with the appearance of that idol.” and this is where the scriptures come into it and most definitely the Eucharistic miracles, in which the Eucharist came under the appearance, it turned into literally flesh and blood in which science to this day still has no explanation for, they are even preserved in the Vatican to this day.

I would also suggest that you walk into a Catholic Church and just kneel before the tabernacle in which contains the Eucharist and just contemplate it, many protestants have been converted simply because of the supernatural presence they felt in front of the Eucharist, there is an aura of peace, I cannot explain it, you must experience it.

I had a deeply protestant friend who at the behest of his girlfriend said that he would sit in the local Catholic Church in front of the Eucharist (he didn’t want to) and while he was there, he so desperately didn’t want to admit it to himself, but he truly felt the presence of Christ there and is now going through RCIA to become a Catholic.

The Eucharist is the one fundamental truth of Catholicism, you search for the truth of the Eucharist and you will have your answers.

The Eucharist has always been a part of the Church of Christ, it was only until the reformation and future denominations in which removed the Eucharist (I don’t know why they did such a thing). But the truth of the Eucharist has always been a part of the Church from the very first Church under St. Peter our first Pope and disciple of Christ, passed down to generation after generation.

**John 6:47-71

Rejected by His Own

47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me[g] has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

52 The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”

53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed,[h] and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”

59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.

Many Disciples Turn Away

60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”

61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”*

70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve***.

Please continue to next post -

 

[josh987654321]

Continued from above post -

Yes, Jon, the original Christians were Messianic Jews. We Messianics today have returned to a belief in Jesus as Messiah and fulfillment of the Torah. Actually there also many Gentile “Messianics” today who have done the opposite, by returning to practicing the Mosaic Law as the background for the work of Jesus. It may make it confusing.

Nice, I didn’t know that, I thought all Jews rejected Jesus as the Christ, Messiah.

Thanks for your kind words…I’m always open to other interpretations that I’ve been used to, as long as they fit with the character and words of God. Like you Catholics, we Messianics differ from the Protestants in believing that there is much more to obedience and acting out your faith and belief in Christ. They way we do this is through the observance of the Torah (again, not for salvation, but for obedience’s sake). God says: “If you love me you will obey me.” I respect that you try to obey Jesus by following the Eucharist. At this point, I’m not settled with the fact that God really wants us to do it.
Thanks for everyone’s insights though!

Thank you for seeking.

As I said, Catholicism is either way right or way wrong, if the Eucharist is true, than you are missing out on so much my friend and if it is false than you have lost nothing by looking into it.

Please maintain your focus on the Eucharist, it is in this sacrament where you will find the absolute truth to Catholicism.

All other forms of Christianity is like knowing Jesus from afar and Catholicism is knowing Jesus intimately, having Christ warm our hearts at every mass with his true presence in the Holy Eucharist. Many Catholics are even unaware of the value of Catholicism, there are so many lukewarm Catholics in which either don’t understand what they have or don’t care, I find protestants evangelize better than we do and that those who convert to Catholicism make the best Catholics because they appreciate the intimacy we have with Christ in the Eucharist, what they didn’t have before.

You should read some work by Scott Hahn, he his very good. Especially his conversion story.

What are Eucharistic Miracles? Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, Jesus has proven beyond any doubt that He is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. Why did He have to prove this to us? It is because at certain times in history, there were heresies that denied the Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. On other occasions, some priests doubted the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. And yet, on other occasions, the Holy Eucharist was abused by believers and non-believers alike.

What follows are some of the Eucharistic Miracles that took place throughout the history of the Catholic Church. All of these have received the full approval of the Catholic Church. Please click on the link below.

Eucharistic Miracles - catholicdoors.com/misc/eucharisticmiracles.htm

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[Buck_Crosswhite]

I’ve talked to numerous Catholics, and though not one myself, I respect the Catholic Church.
However, though I know the origins of the Eucharist (Jesus’ proclamations at the Last Supper), I’m puzzled as to why it and the other sacraments are held to be so important, even to the point of bringing salvation. Especially, the fact of it being the actual blood and body of Jesus is puzzling…why?
Thanks for any explanations!

Jesus believed the Holy Eucharist was his body, blood, soul and divinity, why shouldn’t we.

 

[jochoa]

Especially, the fact of it being the actual blood and body of Jesus is puzzling…why?

Here is my reasoning for the Body:
-In order to continue living , we must eat another life, perhaps plant or animal life. The energy/nutrients obtained from the life will determine how long we can continue living, until we need to eat another life.
-Since we want to live forever, we must eat the life which lives forever. The only life to live forever is God’s Life.
-The Eucharist is the only way to eat, and become one with, the Body of God or the Body of Jesus.

Regarding the Blood:
-Experiences of Heaven are unending joy and peace for all. In a world of free-willed persons, a person must be and spread the means to be perfectly patient and kind in order to restore/maintain/build the experience of Heaven in his/her relationships within the world.
Answering how perfectly patient and kind must a person be, shows why we need the Blood of Jesus.
-We bleed when we get “hurt”. We “hurt” when someone, including ourselves, has been mean, especially unjustly mean to us. When others are unjustly mean to us, we naturally react impatiently and meanly back.
-In the Crucifixion and Teachings of Jesus, He shows us how to be perfectly patient and kind, even in the face of unjust impatience and meanness.
-In other words, Jesus naturally “bleeds” patience and kindness, whereas we naturally “bleed” impatience and meanness.
-In order to be and spread the means to be perfectly patient and kind, we must “bleed” patience and kindness. To “bleed” patience and kindness, our blood must be of patience and kindness.
-The Eucharist is the only way to drink, and become one with, the Blood of God/Jesus (Patience and Kindness, even in the face of unjust meanness).

I would appreciate any questions or comments to help clarify my position.

 

[Robyn_p]

Thanks for your kind words…I’m always open to other interpretations that I’ve been used to, as long as they fit with the character and words of God. Like you Catholics, we Messianics differ from the Protestants in believing that there is much more to obedience and acting out your faith and belief in Christ. They way we do this is through the observance of the Torah (again, not for salvation, but for obedience’s sake). God says: “If you love me you will obey me.” I respect that you try to obey Jesus by following the Eucharist. At this point, I’m not settled with the fact that God really wants us to do it.
Thanks for everyone’s insights though!

Keep studying and most importantly praying my friend! Seek and you shall find, right? I’m glad you came here to ask questions. don’t be a stranger!

If you don’t mind, might I recommend a book? I think you may appreciate it since you come from a Messianic Jew background. It’s called “Jesus and the Jewish roots of the Eucharist” by Brant Pitre. It dives in deep on the Scriptural foundations much more than we have here. And as the title says, shows how the Eucharist was foreshadowed in the Old Testament and prepared by God. Really, really good. Maybe we can discuss what you thought about it after you read it ? I’d like to know what someone from a Jewish background thinks about it, since I have no way of telling whether its accurate or not.

Anyway, God bless you on your journey and keep asking questions!

 

[tp3192000]

We Messianics today have returned to a belief in Jesus as Messiah and fulfillment of the Torah. Actually there also many Gentile “Messianics” today who have done the opposite, by returning to practicing the Mosaic Law as the background for the work of Jesus. It may make it confusing.

How can anyone believe in Jesus and not in the Eucharist? Jesus took great care in preparing for the Passover dinner for his last supper. Why did he choose to have it in the heart of Jerusalem when he knew so many were out to get him? He was safely outside the city and would have stayed safe if he chose to remain outside the city.
The Authorities in Jerusalem had it in for him and Jesus knew there was a traitor among his followers. Perhaps that is why Jesus already had a contact in the city who agreed with him to help prepare a place for the feast and not one of his disciples knew who he was and so had to watch for the secret signal of a man performing a woman’s duties when they were sent ahead to help prepare for the feast. Jesus was careful to not let Judas know the location for the Passover dinner. No one knew except the Master and his chosen helper.
Why was the celebration of the Passover feast so important to have in Jerusalem?
His life and the life of his disciples were at great risk, all for this dinner.
After this dinner in which Jesus offered the bread and the wine as his Body and Blood, he no longer tried to remain in secrecy, but went publicly into the garden to pray and await what he knew was coming.
Lk 22:7-13
Mk14: 12-16
Mt 26: 17-19
Jn 11: 53

 

[AmbroseSJ]

Posted by josh987654321 from John 6: 61-65

61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? **63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. **The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

@ luthier93: You asked how Jesus could command that his body and blood be eaten when that is against the Mosaic law. The carnal eating of human flesh and blood was not what Jesus meant, and he says so in verse 63 to correct their misapprehension. In verse 61 He asks if this doctrine offends them. Then He says What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? IOW, why should it offend them, seeing as he will STILL have his body when he ascends to where he was before. This reinforces his earlier statement that the flesh profits nothing, IOW, the carnal eating of flesh is not what he is discussing.

Jesus was introducing them to a sublime and mystical Sacrament of Com-Union with his believers, those who were first granted this favor by the Father in Heaven.

You have shown yourself to be a generous and honest seeker after the Truth, something quite rare around here!

 

[luthier93]

Posted by josh987654321 from John 6: 61-65

@ luthier93: You asked how Jesus could command that his body and blood be eaten when that is against the Mosaic law. The carnal eating of human flesh and blood was not what Jesus meant, and he says so in verse 63 to correct their misapprehension. In verse 61 He asks if this doctrine offends them. Then He says What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? IOW, why should it offend them, seeing as he will STILL have his body when he ascends to where he was before. This reinforces his earlier statement that the flesh profits nothing, IOW, the carnal eating of flesh is not what he is discussing.

Jesus was introducing them to a sublime and mystical Sacrament of Com-Union with his believers, those who were first granted this favor by the Father in Heaven.

You have shown yourself to be a generous and honest seeker after the Truth, something quite rare around here!

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Definitely something I’ll look into more. I’m still a bit confused though since some of the last posters seem to suggest that one need not believe in Transubstantiation to believe in the Eucharist. If that’s the case, I’m much closer to it.
The issue with the miracles, is that that is precisely what they are. Miracles. So though they have happened once as a visual confirmation of the presence of Christ, I don’t see that it proves that it continues to happen that way.

 

[chero23]

He is with us in the Eucharist. Where ever there is that blessed sacrament, he is with us.

He has stayed with us through that most blessed sacrament, he comes to us through the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Spirit.

Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, Jesus has proven beyond any doubt that He is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. Why did He have to prove this to us? It is because at certain times in history, there were heresies that denied the Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. On other occasions, some priests doubted the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. And yet, on other occasions, the Holy Eucharist was abused by believers and non-believers alike.

What follows are some of the Eucharistic Miracles that took place throughout the history of the Catholic Church. All of these have received the full approval of the Catholic Church. Please click on the the below link.

Eucharistic Miracles - catholicdoors.com/misc/eucharisticmiracles.htm

They knew exactly what he was saying, because this was his reply.

He did not correct them or call them back saying that they misunderstood him. It was no metaphor. If it were a metaphor he simply would have called the disciples that turned away back because they misunderstood him.

God Bless.

Thank you for reading
Josh

You posted the same verses I had in mind. Jesus said that he was the bread of life. I mean, it could not be anymore clear.

 

[Della]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Definitely something I’ll look into more. I’m still a bit confused though since some of the last posters seem to suggest that one need not believe in Transubstantiation to believe in the Eucharist. If that’s the case, I’m much closer to it.

We don’t need to believe that transubstantiation fully explains the Eucharist, but we do have to believe that the Eucharist is the body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ. Why? Because Jesus himself said so. Transubstantiation is only an attempt to explain a mystery. We can no more fully grasp it than we can the Incarnation. It’s a mystery of God that we take, like all other doctrines/dogmas, on faith. Our faith is not flimsy, though, snatched from thin air, as it were. It is based in Sacred Tradition which involves Scripture, the ongoing guidance of the Holy Spirit Christ promised to his Church and the witness of the Church Fathers.

The issue with the miracles, is that that is precisely what they are. Miracles. So though they have happened once as a visual confirmation of the presence of Christ, I don’t see that it proves that it continues to happen that way.

Anything that God does that cannot be explained by the ordinary laws of nature is a miracle. Sometimes they are visual reminds of God’s love and presence, but most of the time they are simply reminders that God is and that he is working in our midst for there small miracles as well as great ones.

 

[po18guy]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Definitely something I’ll look into more. I’m still a bit confused though since some of the last posters seem to suggest that one need not believe in Transubstantiation to believe in the Eucharist. If that’s the case, I’m much closer to it.
The issue with the miracles, is that that is precisely what they are. Miracles. So though they have happened once as a visual confirmation of the presence of Christ, I don’t see that it proves that it continues to happen that way.

What did you eat for breakfast? Bread? What happened to that bread once you ate it?

It became your living flesh.

Its substance was changed, by your body, from bread into living flesh. Is it reasonable to believe that your mortal, human body can transubstantiate bread into living flesh, but our Lord Jesus Christ cannot?

The problem these days, if you look around, is that far too much transubstantiation is taking place, not too little.

 

[AmbroseSJ]

Della:

We don’t need to believe that transubstantiation fully explains the Eucharist, but we do have to believe that the Eucharist is the body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ. Why? Because Jesus himself said so. Transubstantiation is only an attempt to explain a mystery.

I would say that it’s more than an attempt to explain this sacred mystery. It is a dogma taught infallibly by the Roman Catholic Church. But the important thing to remember about Transubstantiation is that it is a teaching that explains clearly HOW Jesus is present in the Eucharist.

He is not present just for a moment when received at communion, nor is He present WITH the bread and wine, nor is He just present spiritually within the believer at the time of communion.

Jesus Christ, his Body Blood Soul and Divinity is really present in a physical sense not just a spiritual sense under the appearance of bread and wine. That is Transubstantiation and it IS a Divine miracle, visible only to the eyes of Faith. That is why we have Eucharistic Adoration. Jesus is present physically in the bread the entire time we behold the bread. The Eucharist is also nourishment for our body and soul. The Holy Eucharist is always ultimately consumed, whether at Mass, or when held in reserve in Tabernacles for the sick and dying, or when exposed in Eucharistic Adoration.

 

[fred_conty]

I’ve talked to numerous Catholics, and though not one myself, I respect the Catholic Church.
However, though I know the origins of the Eucharist (Jesus’ proclamations at the Last Supper), I’m puzzled as to why it and the other sacraments are held to be so important, even to the point of bringing salvation. Especially, the fact of it being the actual blood and body of Jesus is puzzling…why?
Thanks for any explanations!

Why do I believe in the Eucharist as the body of Christ. That is the question that each person has to answer.

For me, because of who Jesus is. “I Am”.

Just a thought.​

“As the Father has loved me, so I love you as my own.” (hymn)

 

[Della]

I would say that it’s more than an attempt to explain this sacred mystery. It is a dogma taught infallibly by the Roman Catholic Church. But the important thing to remember about Transubstantiation is that it is a teaching that explains clearly HOW Jesus is present in the Eucharist.

He is not present just for a moment when received at communion, nor is He present WITH the bread and wine, nor is He just present spiritually within the believer at the time of communion.

Jesus Christ, his Body Blood Soul and Divinity is really present in a physical sense not just a spiritual sense under the appearance of bread and wine. That is Transubstantiation and it IS a Divine miracle, visible only to the eyes of Faith. That is why we have Eucharistic Adoration. Jesus is present physically in the bread the entire time we behold the bread. The Eucharist is also nourishment for our body and soul. The Holy Eucharist is always ultimately consumed, whether at Mass, or when held in reserve in Tabernacles for the sick and dying, or when exposed in Eucharistic Adoration.

The word transubstantiation is not the dogma. What it describes is the dogma–that’s my point. We can’t get hung up on earthly terms for divine mysteries to the point we fail to grasp it for ourselves, yes? This is what luthier93 is having trouble seeing. Jesus is as real and present in the Eucharist as he was in the Incarnation. Indeed, the Eucharist is a fulfillment of the promise of Christ that he would be with us always to the end of time. He never left us–he gave us his body and blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist.

Christ is physically present in the sense that the whole of the risen Christ is present under either form of bread or wine or both. We aren’t chewing on an arm or leg–that’s the point we are making for luthier93. It’s a mystery that we cannot fully explain anymore than we can fully explain the Incarnation. We only have our poor human words to do that–to try to understand the ineffable.

 

[po18guy]

The word transubstantiation is not the dogma. What it describes is the dogma–that’s my point. We can’t get hung up on earthly terms for divine mysteries to the point we fail to grasp it for ourselves, yes? This is what luthier93 is having trouble seeing. Jesus is as real and present in the Eucharist as he was in the Incarnation. Indeed, the Eucharist is a fulfillment of the promise of Christ that he would be with us always to the end of time. He never left us–he gave us his body and blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist.

Christ is physically present in the sense that the whole of the risen Christ is present under either form of bread or wine or both. We aren’t chewing on an arm or leg–that’s the point we are making for luthier93. It’s a mystery that we cannot fully explain anymore than we can fully explain the Incarnation. We only have our poor human words to do that–to try to understand the ineffable.

If luthier93 would go to an adoration chapel and, in humble submission, beg our Lord to reveal Himself, this thread would soon be moot. The Holy Eucharist is not an intellectual or philosophical exercise. It is Jesus Christ!

 

[Della]

If luthier93 would go to an adoration chapel and, in humble submission, beg our Lord to reveal Himself, this thread would soon be moot. The Holy Eucharist is not an intellectual or philosophical exercise. It is Jesus Christ!

Indeed. Sometimes we need to abandon our heads and listen to our hearts. We can only explain just so much. It is the Holy Spirit who must enliven the heart and soul to this truth. :yup:

 

[luthier93]

Continued from above post -

Nice, I didn’t know that, I thought all Jews rejected Jesus as the Christ, Messiah.

Thank you for seeking.

As I said, Catholicism is either way right or way wrong, if the Eucharist is true, than you are missing out on so much my friend and if it is false than you have lost nothing by looking into it.

Please maintain your focus on the Eucharist, it is in this sacrament where you will find the absolute truth to Catholicism.

All other forms of Christianity is like knowing Jesus from afar and Catholicism is knowing Jesus intimately, having Christ warm our hearts at every mass with his true presence in the Holy Eucharist. Many Catholics are even unaware of the value of Catholicism, there are so many lukewarm Catholics in which either don’t understand what they have or don’t care, I find protestants evangelize better than we do and that those who convert to Catholicism make the best Catholics because they appreciate the intimacy we have with Christ in the Eucharist, what they didn’t have before.

You should read some work by Scott Hahn, he his very good. Especially his conversion story.

What are Eucharistic Miracles? Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, Jesus has proven beyond any doubt that He is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. Why did He have to prove this to us? It is because at certain times in history, there were heresies that denied the Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. On other occasions, some priests doubted the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. And yet, on other occasions, the Holy Eucharist was abused by believers and non-believers alike.

What follows are some of the Eucharistic Miracles that took place throughout the history of the Catholic Church. All of these have received the full approval of the Catholic Church. Please click on the link below.

Eucharistic Miracles - catholicdoors.com/misc/eucharisticmiracles.htm

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh

Thanks so much Josh. Indeed, not all Jews reject Jesus as Messiah. It may be confusing because the Orthodox do not believe that we Messianics are Jews…regardless of bloodline. But that’s simply not the case. Look at Ephraim or Manasheh.
I think, as I mentioned that the issue I see with the miracles is that they aren’t necessarily proof that it happens every time. Now, there’s not denying that Jesus is physically present at times in our life. I’ve had experiences and know others who have. But, to be honest, I don’t see enough proof to overrule the natural law that the bread and wine become physical flesh and blood yet don’t have the aspects of those. It seems sort of contradictory.
Here’s an example why:
Nicodemus asked Jesus “How can one be born again? Can he reenter his mother’s womb?” Now, I’m sure many if not all of you think this is a silly question to ask because Jesus was obviously talking about spiritual matters, as I used to.
But it wasn’t until I researched it and found out that being “born again” was actually an ancient Hebrew term for being converted. Nicodemus was actually saying: “I’m already a Jew, so why would I need to be be converted? I can’t be physically reborn, can I?”
Just goes to show that despite our backgrounds, we are very far from understanding the culture and context of the Bible in many ways and can therefore interpret it wrong.
So perhaps there is a similar explanation to the statements of Jesus regarding His body and blood that makes more sense than Transubstantiation and fits with the facts that the characteristics of the bread and wine don’t change?

 

[luthier93]

What did you eat for breakfast? Bread? What happened to that bread once you ate it?

It became your living flesh.

Its substance was changed, by your body, from bread into living flesh. Is it reasonable to believe that your mortal, human body can transubstantiate bread into living flesh, but our Lord Jesus Christ cannot?

The problem these days, if you look around, is that far too much transubstantiation is taking place, not too little.

Very interesting, thanks for this insight. It’s not that I have an issue with Transubstantiation. Rather, the fact that it doesn’t seem to physically change yet is said to.

 

[Della]

Very interesting, thanks for this insight. It’s not that I have an issue with Transubstantiation. Rather, the fact that it doesn’t seem to physically change yet is said to.

Would you eat the bread if it looked and tasted like human flesh? God knows we wouldn’t. And yet, he wants us to realize that our physical being is as much a part of us, as he created us, as our souls and spirits. We need that which we can touch and smell and taste as physical beings. It’s why we use water for baptism and oils for charisms and incense and so on. God used these things in the OT and he continues to use them in the NT times in which we live. It’s a constant reminder that Jesus was born a real flesh and blood human being and yet was fully God as well. Does that make sense?