Bread, Cup, Body, Blood

by Paul Turner

Belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is central to Catholic faith. In the past some have doubted this belief, but the church has always responded with unwavering conviction, founded on the Bible. “This is my body. This is my blood” (Mt 26:26,28). “The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (Jn 6:51). “My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink” (Jn 6:55). “The one who eats this bread will live forever” (Jn 6:58). “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor 11:26).

The word “bread” in these Scriptures does not diminish our faith that the bread is the Body of Christ. The liturgy also uses “bread and cup” to refer to the Body and Blood of Christ. Memorial acclamation C has us sing, “When we eat this bread and drink this cup.” Eucharistic Prayer IV prays for “all who share this one bread and one cup.” The first Eucharistic Prayer for Masses with Children offers “the bread that gives us life, and the cup that saves us.” The “Lamb of God” accompanies a ritual the sacramentary calls “the breaking of the bread.” Some of our hymns also refer to bread and wine, but in the context of the Mass the meaning remains true to Catholic teaching. What we eat and drink is the Body and Blood of Christ. ML

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Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome.