The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

WOF 501: Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist

38 snips
Aug 4, 2025
Explore the profound significance of Christ's real presence in the Eucharist, highlighted by insights from thinkers like Thomas Aquinas and Flannery O'Connor. Delve into the cultural tensions surrounding Jesus's teachings and the historical controversies that shaped the Church's understanding. Learn how the priest’s words during Mass enact the transformation of bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood. Finally, discover how encounters with the risen Christ can profoundly redirect our spiritual journeys.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

O'Connor's Eucharist Anecdote

  • Flannery O'Connor said, "if it's only a symbol, I say to hell with it" regarding the Eucharist.
  • This underscores the Catholic belief that the Eucharist is more than symbolic representation.
INSIGHT

John 6 Real Presence Teaching

  • Jesus challenges followers in John 6 to eat his flesh and drink his blood literally, not symbolically.
  • This teaching causes many to leave but affirms the real presence in the Eucharist.
INSIGHT

Berengarius’ Eucharistic Controversy

  • Berengarius argued Eucharist bread and Christ’s body must be separate due to logical objections.
  • The Church rejected this, affirming the dense realism of Christ's real presence in Eucharist.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app