Why do Catholics believe communion wafers are the Body and Blood of Christ?
Catholics believe that when Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, he did not suggest that it was a symbolic interpretation (Mt. 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24; Lk 22:19-20). The early Christians believed in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and St. Paul warned that anyone who takes Communion “in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. (1Cor. 11:27). In the Gospel of St. John, Jesus promises that anyone “who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” (John 6:54). Catholics believe that Jesus was speaking literally. The Eucharist is not a symbol. When Catholics receive communion, they say, “Amen,” which signifies that they believe that they are receiving the heart, mind, body, soul and divinity of Christ.
Related Questions
- Why do Catholics believe Holy Communion is the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ? Why don they believe that Christ is only present symbolically?
- Why do Catholics believe that the bread and wine actually turn into Christ’s body and blood at Mass?
- Do United Methodists believe the communion elements actually become the body and blood of Christ?