Is The Eucharist Really the Body and Blood of Jesus?

Most Rev. Michael Sheehan
Archbishop of Santa Fe
Founding Bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock

An Alarming Gallup Poll

    In the spring of 1992 a Gallup poll was taken on Catholic attitudes toward holy Communion.  The poll showed serious confusion among Catholics about one of the most basic beliefs of the church.  Only 30 percent of those surveyed believe that they are actually receiving the body and blood, soul and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread and wine; 29 percent think they are receiving bread and wine which symbolize the spirit and teachings of Jesus and, in so doing, are expressing their attachment to to his person and words; 10 percent understand their action to be receiving bread and wine in which Jesus is present; and, 23 percent hold that they are receiving what has become the body and blood of Christ because of their personal belief.

    Any well informed Catholic will recognize that only the first option, chosen by the 30 percent, is true Catholic teaching.  The other options represent various forms of Protestant belief.

    As a bishop, I am deeply concerned about the inaccurate and distorted views of the Eucharist apparently held by many of our people.  I believe it is important to clearly understand the correct doctrine; then live according to that doctrine.

Scripture and Tradition

    Our Catholic teaching that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Jesus, not bread and wine, is clearly taught in the Bible and throughout the 2,000 year tradition of the church.  The teaching of Jesus in the sixth chapter of John's Gospel is very clear: "Amen, amen I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood you do not have life within you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day.   For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." ( John 6:53-56)

    John goes on to say that, even though many disciples would not accept this teaching and went away, Jesus did not attempt to bring them back by saying he was only speaking symbolically.

    The early church took his teaching seriously.   In his first letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul says, "Therefore who ever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthy will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord...for anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body , eats and drinks judgement on himself (First Corinthians 11:25,27).  Paul's statement makes sense only if the bread and wine have become the real body and blood of Christ.

    How does this change take place?  It happens during the eucharistic prayer of the Mass.  At that time, the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ; as the church has always taught.  Although they still look like bread and wine they have - by divine power - actually changed into his body and blood.  How can we know this?  It requires faith.  It is a mystery which, like love, we will never fully understand.  The Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, his death and resurrection are other mysteries which, along with the Eucharist, we will never fully comprehend in this life.

    Catholic teaching on the Eucharist gives great inspiration and strength to believers.  Jesus is really present and, under the appearance of food, nourishes us for our journeys through life.  Our Protestant friends speak often (and correctly) of the need for a personal relationship with Jesus.   What more personal relationship is there than to be nourished by the Body and Blood of Jesus; than receiving him with love and devotion?  And, since the Eucharist takes place in the context of a community meal, we are also united with our brothers and sisters of the faith.  To make the presence of Jesus only a "symbolic" one is, therefore, to strip the Eucharist celebration of it's true meaning.

Faith and Reverence

    A sound belief in the Eucharist moves us to some important practical conclusions.  Since the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus, Catholics must have the upmost respect and reverence for these precious gifts.

    We should not receive communion if we are conscious that we are in a serious state of sin.  Saint Paul makes it clear - in the text from First Corinthians Quoted above - that we must not receive the Lord unworthy.

    Other than in crisis situations, where a perfect act of contrition can suffice, anyone who is aware of serious sin must receive the sacrament of penance before going on to Communion.  Priests and catechists must not hesitate to teach this clearly to the people on a regular basis.

    People who are married outside the church are not supposed to receive communion.  They should approach the marriage tribunal to see if their marriage can be validated and, thereby, return to the sacrament.  I know how difficult and painful it is for people who are not able to receive Communion; and I suffer with them.  It can be of some comfort to know they may come forward at Communion time to receive blessings from a priest or other minister. (Non-Catholics and others not receiving Communion may also receive blessings.)

    In a recent article, Bishop William Weigand of Salt Lake City notes a lack of respect for the Eucharist in recent years.  I believe he is correct.  We must not allow the simplification of the rites of Mass - such as the reception of holy Communion in the hand, while standing - breed an informality that erodes our belief in the real presence.  We must be careful to genuflect reverently when entering the church where the Eucharist is kept; or, at least, make a deep bow of respect.  We have let sloppy language lead to a disrespect for the Eucharist.  I call on all Catholics in our diocese to stop referring to holy Communion as the "bread" or the "wine" rather than as "the body of Christ", and "the blood of Christ."

    Respect for the Eucharist also means fasting for an hour before communion; arriving on time for Mass; and, not leaving early.  Respect for the Eucharist likewise means there should be no more than subdued conversation before and after Mass in the church.  Even though many enjoy socializing, others are there to pray in the presence of the Eucharist and their rights should be respected.   Respect for the Eucharist means we will attempt to make visits to the church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament chapels are open for visitation.  One of the most fruitful forms of prayer for a Catholic is that of praying before the Lord who is present in the tabernacle.  Respect for the Eucharist means that priests, deacons and eucharistic ministers will treat the body and blood of Christ with utmost respect; an purify the Communion vessels reverently.

    I also encourage more frequent use of the rites of Benediction and eucharistic devotions with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

    I call upon pastors and teachers to review basic Catholic teaching on the Eucharist with their people.  I urge Catholic parents to teach the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist to their children.

    We must recapture a well deserved sense of the holy, an awareness of mystery as it relates to the Eucharist which has always been a part of our Catholic tradition.