Saints LightIs the Eucharist Really Jesus?
At Mass the bread and wine truly become Jesus himself, though they still look and taste the same. Jesus taught this plainly in John 6, and the Church has believed it from the start.
What this lesson teaches
- In the Eucharist Jesus is truly present, Body and Blood, soul and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine.
- In John 6 Jesus insists on eating his flesh and lets disciples leave rather than call it a mere symbol.
- Transubstantiation means the substance changes while the appearances remain; this is defined dogma.
- Christ remains present in the tabernacle, so we adore him and receive him in the state of grace.
Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites
- CCC 1324
- CCC 1374
- CCC 1376-1377
- CCC 1381
- CCC 1413
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Scripture read in this lesson: John 6:54-57 (6:53-56 in most modern Bibles); John 6:67-69 (6:66-68 in most modern Bibles); 1 Corinthians 11:27-29.
A sample question from this lesson
What happens when many disciples leave Jesus in John 6?
- He explains that he was only speaking in symbols
- He changes the subject to the feeding of the five thousand
- He tells them to return once they understand the metaphor
- He lets them go and asks the Twelve if they will leave too
Show the answer
He lets them go and asks the Twelve if they will leave too. The lesson points out that Jesus does not soften his words or call them back; he turns to the Twelve, and Peter answers, Lord, to whom shall we go?
The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.
Words to know
- Real Presence
- The true, substantial presence of Jesus Christ, Body and Blood, soul and divinity, in the Eucharist.
- Transubstantiation
- The change of the whole substance of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, while the appearances remain.
- Tabernacle
- The locked, honored box in a church where consecrated Hosts are kept, usually marked by a burning lamp.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
Read the full lesson in the app
"Is the Eucharist Really Jesus?" is lesson 4 of The Seven Sacraments. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.
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Related lessons
- The Sacraments: How Grace Reaches Us (Start Here, free)