Expert: Edward Bode - 7/17/2009

Question
I was in a debate recently with my Father over transubstantiation. He recently sent me an email condemning the view here and it seems convincing. Can you help me to find a Bible based anwser to his question? Below is a copy of the email.

"Remember too that the "bread", of the Lord's Supper, if indeed it was the LITERAL body of Christ, would cause one to never have LITERAL hunger again.



"Jesus said t them: I am the bread of of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" (6:35).

But of course, we know that those who partake of the bread in the Eucharest do indeed become hungry within a few short hours. So, we must conclude that we are dealing with symbols here, spiritual bread and spiritual hunger.



Dad"  

Answer
The promise in John 6:36 does refer to the Eucharist -- who eats and drinks will never need another [a different] spiritual food.  Reception of the Eucharist is spiritual food and drink, that is, food and drink for eternal life. The chapter does not refer to regular food and drink for the sustenance of physical life.  Read all of chapter 6.  The teaching was too much for some of Jesus' followers but He did not falter or dissimulate but insisted on the truth of His teaching.  
Paul in 1 Cor 11:23-26 recalls the tradition about the Eucharist being Jesus' true body and blood.  Here he echoes the teaching of the synoptic gospels on the institution of the Ecucharist at the Last Supper --  Mt 26:2628, Mk 14:22-25, Lk 22:15-20.
I hope that these thoughts help, Martin.  If you wish more, please feel free to write again.
Best wishes.