Expert: Fr. Michael - 6/18/2006

Question
Hello,

As it is the feast of Corpus Christi, the reading at Mass gave an account of the First Mass.

I am a bit puzzled by one portion of Our Lord's words near the end of the Last Supper.

Immediately after He transubstantiates the wine into His Precious Blood, He says "Amen I say to you, that I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it new in the kingdom of God."

I was wondering why, when the chalice He was holding in His hands no longer contained wine, but His Blood, He was referring to "the fruit of the vine"?

Is the fruit of the vine here understood to be wine?  Or is this a metaphor?

The only thought I had otherwise was that Christ--who said He is the true vine--might have literally been speaking of the "fruit of the [true] vine" as His own Blood.

Apologies if the question seems a bit convoluted, but I appreciate your help and may God bless you.

Answer
In one sense at least, the passage looks forward to the ensuing Passion, during which at one point the soldiers offer him sour wine (vinegar), which He refuses.  After the Resurrection (which presages the Kingdom of God), Scripture says that He eats and drinks with the disciples.