More Than a Symbol

The Body and Blood of Christ

Though out the entire history of the modern Christian church. An issue comes up now and again. Rehashing the same old arguments when it comes to the Catholic Church. One of the biggest ones has to deal with the importance of the Eucharist: The Body and Blood of Christ. For a Catholic that should be one of the most important aspects of our faith. The argument of course is that Christ words in the Gospel of John were not meant to be taken literal. Instead they should be taken more symbolic.

Yet if you read though the Bible and the Gospel of John, you realize why this is such a strong dividing line between Catholics and other Christians faiths. The Bread of Life discourse has a lot of challenges in it's reading. So many points of conflict. Still the words that Christ spoke made it very clear that He is being literal: "...unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you." -John 6: 53. This element is a major stumbling block to those who were with him at the time. If Christ was speaking symbolically then why did most of this followers leave him? Why did only the twelve remain? Even to this day those passages are still hard to accept.

Even many of us Catholic don't fully believe that Christ is present in the Eucharist. That Christ isn't here body, blood, soul, and divinity. Some may even believe that we do at Mass isn't reality but symbolic. Which is completely incorrect on so many levels. If the Eucharist is "just a symbol" then why have so many risked their lives. A few more even giving up theirs to protect and defend it. If what be believe is meant to be symbolic then why would Paul Comtois, who was lieutenant governor of Quebec, run into a fire in 1966 to save the Eucharist. Found in bad shape yet the pyx containing Christ untouched by the fire. Or how about St. Tarcisius who died in 575 defending the Eucharist from a group that beat him to the point of death. Many stories of such bravery. All defending Christ! Why go though so much trouble if it was just normal bread and wine? (more info can be found here!)

We also have endless reports of many Eucharistic miracles that have taken place. Where the host transforms into human flesh and blood. So many taking place that Blessed Carlo Acutis started his own website trying to record all that he came across. If it was just a symbol then why are these things happening even today? Powerful events in our lives that should be looked at more closely.

To deny the Christ is present in the Eucharist: body, blood, soul, and divinity, is to deny Christ completely. When we say Christ was speaking symbolically in the Gospel of John. We are telling God that He is unable to do what was promised. Why even believe in the church at all if we are only doing it as a symbol. When you look though out the entire history of the church. Many have given their lives for what we believe in. Many of them very unpleasant deaths.. Perhaps during the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we need to spend more time before Christ in adoration. Praying for the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit to touch our hearts. Reflecting on the importance of Christ being ever present in our lives.

Important Info:

The Lego Church Project (FB Page)

Praying At The Bricks Newsletter

Twitter: @kc8wzm

Donations! (PayPal)

Amazon Wish List

EMAIL: kc8wzm@gmail.com