Question for Catholics about the Lord's Supper?

Question

Not being facetious, but I'm having trouble understanding why Catholics adhere to a literal interpretation in Luke 22:19 of "this is my body", when Christ distributed the elements of the last supper. I'd like to hear a good explanation of this belief that the elements literally transformed, since so much of Christ's teaching was symbolic, I don't understand why this can't be interpreted as a representation, not an actual transformation.

If Catholics are to take the literal meaning of His words, then would they also have to abide by Matt.5.29? If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell?

(I'm interested to learn more about why Catholics practice this particular teaching. I hope I didn't offend with this question, as this wasn't my intention. Rather I'm just interested in learning.)

Thanks.

Answer 1

No offence taken.

The idea of the communion is very important in the Eucharist.

Because during the mass, when the priests lifts up the cup, we not only see Christ, but also the twelve apostles, and all saints sitting at the table beside him. It's more than remembering the last supper, it's re-living it (I agree totally with sulfol1).

You know how a person who suffers a traumatic event will start to sweat and become nervious when he remembers the event? He re-lives that moment over and over. But during the celebration of the Eucharist, we do the same, only we re-live the sense of communion and respect of Jesus during the last supper.

Jesus talks of eating his body and blood so many times so literally that many left him (Jn. 6:53-69 - please read it!!). It was then that he asked his disciples, "do you want to leave me too?". Then Peter elegantly answered, "Lord where should we go? You have the words of eternal life." {note that the topic was still on the Eucharist.}

But then again, transubtanciation falls in line with Jesus' biblical personality that is so hard to comprehend - that "foolish" and sacrificing love. I recognize this same Love in the Eucharist.

I wish everyone else did too.

Answer 2

They believe in transubstantiation

Transubstantiation (in Latin, transsubstantiatio) is the change of the substance of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ occurring in the Eucharist according to the teaching of some Christian Churches, including the Roman Catholic Church.

I too, have wondered about why some of Christ's teachings are taken literally by Catholics but not others For example, Luke 22:36 He tells His disciples, “Let him who has no sword sell his garment and buy one.” Now this is some sound advice.

Jesus was a proto-NRA member. But too many Christians stress the "Prince of Peace" angle.

Answer 3

Well its more than just Luke. John ch 6 is where Jesus tells the crowd they must eat His body and drink His blood or they won't have eternal life. He lost many followers b/c it was hard for them. Also, Paul talks about eating the body and blood in 1 Corinthians ch 11 and how the Corinthians were treating each other and how it was making them ill. Both Mark and Matthew have similar stories to Luke.
edit
Dead Marxist is right about the transubstanition as is the answer above mine about Jesus' sacrfice, we believe at the consecration the events from the Last Supper to
Easter is made present (it is the passover of the New Testament)

Also, the Greek translation uses the word amensis (spelling) which we translate as "do this in remembrance of me" but the meaning is actually richer. It means making present that actual event, a knd of melding our time to then.

Catholics also trace their traditions back to the Apostles and that this was past on to the Church from them

Answer 4

It is both. Jesus alludes to some being given the "Hidden Manna". He knew evertything that would happen. When he said that you must eat his flesh and drink his blood and many turned away he did not run after them and say oh come back but he let them go. If you look up Eucharistic miracles on the web you will see some interesting things but yes he had in mind that for Catholics it would really be his body and blood and in this way we will change in the twinkling of any eye like St. Paul tells people. Not all will fall asleep (death) some will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. This is the Catholics. I am not saying that Protestants will not get to Heaven but , they will on the last day then they will be at the wedding banquet because of their faith but, Catholics are there now at the Mass. Think about this-- Joseph in the Old Testament tells his brothers to bring his little brother to him and let him stay with him because Benjamin was from the same Mother as him. Jesus gave his Mother to John who represents the Catholics. Who has a greater love for Mary than Catholics? no one ---this is the Catholic. Now think about the last part of the Gospel of John where Jesus and Peter are walking along the beach and Jesus is talking to Peter and he (Peter) turns around and sees John following them and so he tells the Lord "What about him?" (he was thinking he was privy to this special information) well, Jesus says, "If I want him to remain forever what's this to you"? This is exactly the same thing with Benjamin.

The Catholic Church with the ordination of their priests truly consecrates the bread into the body and the wine into the blood. In this world when we eat food it becomes part of us but, with the Bread that comes down from Heaven we become part of him.

Answer 5

You have to also take into account the 6th chapter of John.
Jn 6:53 "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you."
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Many walked away from Jesus because he did not waiver from what he said, he didn't later say that it was symbolic or that it was a parable.

from the Didache 90 a.d. And let none eat or drink of your Eucharist but such as have been baptized into the name of the Lord, for of a truth the Lord hath said concerning this, Give not that which is holy unto dogs. ( 9:1-5)

St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 A.D.)
I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire the Bread of God, WHICH IS THE FLESH OF JESUS CHRIST, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I DESIRE HIS BLOOD, which is love incorruptible. (Letter to the Romans 7:3)

In 1st Corinthians ch.11 we see what the Eucharist means to the early Christians :
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.

28Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

29For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.

30That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

If the Eucharist were only a symbol, how could we bring judgement on ourselves if we eat it unworthily?
How can we become ill and weak and even die if we profane a symbol?

Not to worry, only about 30% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Modernism, humanism and the Protestantization of the Mass has diluted the Catholic faith, especially in the western world where more and more Catholics view Holy Communion as symbolic.

This includes both priests and laity--Recent surveys indicate that only 70% of Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. These Catholics, who have the real opportunity to receive Jesus, do not benefit due to their lack of faith.
Please study the links provided.
God Bless.

Answer 6

we believe that we partake in the sacrifice of Jesus. i want to explain more, but i'm a little worn out now! been on the computer too long! i'll try to explain more another time, unless someone else has a good answer!

i just wanted to add that this was the belief since the beginning of Christianity.

read answer from tomas! that is also what i would want to say! also, sulfol1. dead marxist is right about transubstantiation.

basically, Jesus provided a way for us to be united with Him, through communion. we also are united with Him through the Holy Spirit.

by the way, thanks for asking a serious question!! :)

Answer 7

How can one tell when to interpret symbolically or literally?By what authority? Catholic and Orthodox Christians take "My Flesh is Food indeed literally because Jesus did not call back the disciples who left Him over that teaching . Jesus asks "Will you also leave?"
When Jesus says "The Father and I are one.".should that be taken symbolically? Or "The Word was God"?

Answer 8

Spiritual communion takes place through prayer and meditation in the silence. The word of Truth is symbolized by the bread or body of Jesus Christ. The conscious realization of God-life is symbolized by the wine or blood of Jesus Christ. Practice communion by appropriating, or partaking, of the spiritual energy represented by these elements.
Each religion, apparently, has its own interpretations of Biblical events. Quite frankly, I don't understand or agree with a lot of the Catholics' methods of operation.

Answer 9

I don't know anything about Catholics

But JESUS was peforming a JEWISH ritual and HE WANTED those who followed him to EMBRACE HIM in this process.

Jesus KNEW he was to DIE on the CROSS.

Jesus WANTED US to REMEMBER WHAT HE DID by this process.

The PROCESS Jesus talked about was SYMBOLIC

It was a JEWISH ritual about eating unleavened bread and drinking wine.

Jesus' input was to tell them that you must NOW also remeber this is MY FLESH and MY BLOOD when you do these things.

He wanted us to REMEMBER what happened.

But don't forget HE KNEW he'd come back 3 days later

WE will NOT

Not in the PHYSICAL sense

but HE DID and HE KNEW

Beyond that, it is your OWN FREE WILL

Answer 10

go to church!!!!!!!!!!!
and stop queationing other peoples beliefs
kiki