by Elizabeth Solsburg

Exactly how is Jesus in the Eucharist
How is he present?

This year, the St. Augustine Catholic is exploring Christology - the study of Jesus Christ. We asked several eminent seminary professors some questions about Jesus. Their answers are enlightening and thought-provoking.



SAC: Tell us about Jesus as Eucharist. How is he present? How and why did he do it? How does it tie into our Jewish roots?

Father Muller: In the modern period, it’s difficult to talk about the mechanics of how the Eucharist is possible. We’ve made it more difficult, because the way we talk about substance has changed. To us, substance means “this collection of atoms.” Whereas, in the medieval period, when these definitions were being established, there were different definitions. It wasn’t an atomistic understanding - it really looked more at unity. When you have an atomistic understanding, you consider the unity of a thing as being secondary. So, for instance, when you look at a rock, you can keep breaking little pieces off it. The problem is that with human reality, there is a unity to this collection of atoms that the modern way of talking about substance really can’t get at. We need to recapture some of that though in order to understand the reality of the Eucharist - otherwise we look at this collection of atoms and ask where Christ is. The Gospels make it clear that Jesus delighted in touching people. The physicality of the
Eucharist allows him to continue to touch his people throughout time and space.

Father Stevens: There is a food theme in the Scriptures. So many of Jesus’ controversies involve eating. This theme reaches its height in the Eucharist. It is unhelpful to debate whether it is a sacrifice or a meal. If we understand sacrifice as bringing about fellowship, then it doesn’t mean there is a difference. We have a constant need to be in fellowship with God. Jesus promised to be with us “until the end of the age” and this is one of the ways he accomplishes that. And why bread and wine? It continues the mystery of the incarnation - it is the glory of God in humble form. Thomas Aquinas says that this is another way in which God accommodates himself to our human condition. He doesn’t simply give up food; he becomes food for us. There is an older word, viaticum, or food for the journey. It reminds us of the Passover journey - food for the nation of Israel as they are on a journey to the Promised Land. The Eucharist is our food for the journey.

Father Acklin: Eucharist is the new Passover, the new paschal lamb, the new covenant. These connections with the Passover law are important. There was an integral connection between Christianity and Judaism until Christians were expelled from the Temple and Paul’s apostolate to the Gentiles began to grow. A Jewish element that is important when we are talking about real presence is the word “remember.” We talk about the Last Supper as a memorial - and must recall that the Jewish understanding of a memorial is a remembrance that makes present. When Jesus says, “Do this in memory of me,” he is saying that “On the day you do this, that day I will be with you.” He continues to give himself to us in the Eucharist. When we pray, “Lord, remember your church ...,” we are saying, “Lord, be present to our church, to our brothers and sisters - Lord, be present to those who have died.”