As Catholics, we firmly believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. This fundamental truth of our faith is rooted in Scripture and has been affirmed by countless saints throughout the centuries.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus himself declares, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). These powerful words leave no doubt that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.
During the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, blessed it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). He then took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:27-28). These words instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist and clearly express the real presence of Christ.
The teaching of the True Presence has been consistently upheld by the Church Fathers and saints. St. Ignatius of Antioch, writing in the early 2nd century, stated, “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).
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, in the 4th century, eloquently expressed, “The bread and the wine of the Eucharist before the holy invocation of the adorable Trinity were simple bread and wine, but the invocation having been made, the bread becomes the Body of Christ and the wine the Blood of Christ” (Catechetical Lectures, 19:7).
In the 13th century, St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest theologians in Church history, wrote, “The presence of Christ’s true body and blood in this sacrament cannot be detected by sense, nor understanding, but by faith alone, which rests upon Divine authority” (Summa Theologiae, III, 75, 1).
As we approach the altar to receive the Holy Eucharist, let us do so with reverence, awe, and gratitude. We are not merely receiving a symbol or a reminder, but the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. May this incredible gift strengthen our faith, deepen our love for God, and unite us more closely to Him and to one another.
In the words of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, “When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.”
Let us cherish and adore the True Presence of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament, for it is the source and summit of our faith.
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