"Why would you need the Eucharist if Jesus is always present?"

[CatholicZ09]

So, I was discussing with one of my protestant friends about the Eucharist, and he said, “Well, why do we need the Eucharist if Jesus is always present everywhere?” I basically said that we as humans like tangible evidence of everything, and Jesus knows this. We need that tangible evidence of His Presence in the bread and wine. He just wanted to be with us in a very real and personable way. So, is this a good answer? Is there anything else that I could say?

 

[Thankfulness]

To answer your Protestant friends, helps to know what the Church teaches

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a3.htm

The Pope regarding the Eucharist:

vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html

 

[runningdude]

Jesus is everywhere, but he provides special graces to those who receive his Body and Blood.

Unless you eat this bread and drink this cup, you shall not inherit eternal life.

 

[mdgspencer]

I am not sure if the question is about how Christ is present differently in the eucharist or what is the value of the eucharist.
According to the Catholic view, God is present in different ways. First, God is present everwhere, holding the universe in being. God is present in another way, by grace, which is given to souls. But Christ, though he gives grace to souls, is present in another way to those who have the eucharist. He is actually present, in his body and blood, though there is the appearance of bread and wine.
According to the Catholic view, the eucharist confers grace. If the Protestant you spoke with believes in baptism, you could mention that baptism itself confers grace–and the eucharist does too.
You could ask the person if Christ’s presence was the same in these two cases. When he was in this world, he was present in body and blood, so that you could speak to him and touch him. Now he is present by grace to Protestants like other Christians, but he is not present in physically.e actual question.
I hope this addresses th

 

[Little_Mary]

John 6:53-66

I include verse 66 here because it’s huge. Jesus allowed the unbelievers to walk away. He didn’t say “Come back, let me explain”. He said what he meant and he meant what he said and he let them go if they didn’t believe.

That’s a good starting point with your friend, anyhow.

 

[manualman]

Simple question to put him in his place:

Really? If Jesus appeared right here, right now in the flesh, you’d just say 'Hey, what’s up J? Gotta go, I’m late for work…" Seriously? That’s what you’re saying to me?

While there is a sense in which it is true the Christ is God and God is omnipresent, there is also a particular holiness about physical presence that is unique. We humans exist in the physical realm, we aren’t just souls trapped in irrelevant earthen vessels. Our bodies are part of who we ARE. What we experience and encouter in the physical world matters.