Tom Nash on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

"If you're old enough - or perhaps have just seen them on the internet - you may recall the famous Coke commercials of the 1970s, in which a multicultural group of young people proclaim about the soft drink, 'It's the real thing!'

"Well, if I may elevate the theme a bit, the Eucharist could be described as the ultimate 'Real Thing,' for in it Christ offers himself on behalf of the most ethnically diverse group possible - the whole world (1 John 2:1–2) - and salvifically nourishes us with his body and blood (1 Cor. 10: 16-17).

"How can Jesus' limited human body be in more than one place? For Protestant Reformers like Ulrich Zwingli, as well as many Christians today, the miracle of the Eucharist is impossible precisely because of the finitude of Christ's human nature.

"But let us remember that it's Christ's human nature - the humanity of the God-man. Should we surprised that Jesus can do something miraculous regarding his otherwise limited humanity?

"After all, Jesus was able to feed a multitude - including 5,000 men - with only five loaves and two fish, a miraculous account presented in all four Gospels (Matt. 14, Mark 6, Luke 9 and John 6). If Christ can wondrously overcome the finitude of mere bread and common aquatic creatures, why can't he overcome his own humanity? Especially since Scripture reveals that Jesus is the Passover Lamb of the New Covenant (John 19:32-36; 1 Cor. 5:7), and the Passover prescriptions clearly specify that a lamb is not only offered but eaten in a communion sacrifice (Exod. 12). Indeed, if the Eucharist were merely a symbol, wouldn't that make the 'Lord's Supper' a rather anticlimactic fulfillment of its Old Covenant precursor? (See 1 Cor. 11:17-34.)"

In a recent commentary, writer Tom Nash reflected on the truth of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

To access Tom's complete post, please visit:

Catholic Answers: The Season of Living Bread (13 AUG 18)