Why not simply test the Eucharist for DNA?

[atratus]

Here is a question a Protestant friend recently posed this question about transubstantiation to me:

“How about a scientific test…? Can someone just regurgitate their sacrament so we can find Jesus’ DNA. The case would be closed, would it not?”

How should I answer?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear A

In a word, no. Jesus is present in the Eucharist under the form of bread and wine only. Bread and wine does not contain human DNA. There is nothing—nothing about the appearance of the Eucharist that would show that it is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The ONLY way we can know that it is is by trusting His words.

When many of His disciples could not accept His teaching regarding the eating of His Body and the drinking of His Blood, He asked the twelve if they would also go away. In doing this, He was actually eliciting an act of faith from them and this is what He got. “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Jn 6:68-69

Today through the Eucharist He elicits from us that same act of faith.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.