Does the host become the body of Christ or is it simply a symbol?
2007-07-30 08:52:31 · 11 answers · asked by nom de paix 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, they literally believe it becomes Christs blood and body within you.
2007-07-30 09:33:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not a symbol. Through transubstantiation the host becomes the actual body of Christ.
2007-07-30 08:57:14 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle R 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Christ becomes sacramentally present under the appearance of bread and wine. Transubstantiation literally means a change of substance; in this case, the substance changes from that of bread and wine to the Body and Blood of Christ.
2007-07-30 09:07:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bread and wine in appearance represent the separated body and blood of Christ. When the body and blood are separate, the victim dies.
But in the Eucharist the bread and wine both become the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. They are no longer bread and wine, even though they look like it in appearance.
St. Thomas Aquinas wrote Adoro Te Devote
Hidden here before me, Lord, I worship you. (Jesus is really present). Hidden in these symbols, yet completely true. (Looks like bread and wine but is not - it is the real body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ.) Lord, my soul surrenders, longing to obey. And in contemplation wholly faints away.
Seeing, touching, tasting: these are all deceived;
Only through the hearing can it be believed.
Nothing is more certain: Christ has told me so. (Last Supper); What the Truth has uttered, I beleive and know.
It is very well explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Symbol in apprearance, but reality if really and truly what the Church calls the "Real Presence." Christ is really present.
2007-07-30 14:05:59 · answer #4 · answered by hossteacher 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A symbol is something that only has meaning to someone who believes. A symbol represents something else. In teh Eucharist, the host does not represent the Body of Christ. it IS the Body of Christ.
Yes, the host does become the Body of Christ, but not in the medical sense of the word.
In Jewish thought, "body" means "self" and "blood' means "life" To lay down one's body means to lay down one's entire self. To shed blood means to shed a person's life.
2007-07-30 09:04:14 · answer #5 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's the real deal. This is why Catholics have been somewhat "exclusive" when it comes to non-Catholics taking communion. One part of participating in the receiving the Body and Blood is that you have to believe that it really does become the Body and Blood of Christ. Others cannot participate because they don't believe transubstantiation.
2007-07-30 09:00:22 · answer #6 · answered by YSIC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is the body and blood of Jesus Christ, but still remains in the appearances of bread and wine
2007-07-30 08:58:33 · answer #7 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is a false teaching of the Catholic church where the wafer is supposedly the actual body of Christ and the wine is His actual blood. This teaching is man made and is in direct contradiction to the Bible. The verses that they use from the Bible to support this practice are grossly misused and apparently misunderstood.
2007-07-30 09:00:35 · answer #8 · answered by L.C. 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
No, it has to be real. It is a test of the suspension of disbelief, which is necessary for Catholicism.
2007-07-30 08:57:50 · answer #9 · answered by hog b 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
LITERAL. Here is some proof to help your faith. God bless.
2007-07-30 08:58:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋