Christians of all traditions celebrate the Eucharist, yet how we understand what happens in it has long been a point of conversation—and sometimes contention. Is Christ symbolically present? Spiritually present? Substantially present? These theological distinctions matter, but they all aim at one central claim: Christ is present in the Eucharist, offering himself to us in love.
In this post, we explore the mystery of real presence—what it means to say that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine—and how this presence shapes our understanding of communion.
1. More Than Symbol: Real Presence in the Early Church
From the earliest centuries, Christians affirmed that the Eucharist was not merely a symbol, but a sacramental encounter with the living Christ. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 A.D.) warned against those who “confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ.” Justin Martyr (c. 150 A.D.) wrote that the Eucharistic elements are not received “as common bread and common drink,” but as “the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.”
This early testimony reflects a deep conviction: the risen Christ is truly present in the Eucharist—not physically in a crude, material sense, but sacramentally and mysteriously. The Eucharist is not merely a mental reminder or spiritual metaphor. It is Christ himself, given for us.
2. How Is Christ Present? A Mystery of Faith
When we speak of real presence, we mean that in and through the signs of bread and wine, Christ is present to his people in a unique and sacramental way. The precise nature of this presence has been explained differently by various traditions:
- Roman Catholic theology speaks of transubstantiation: the substance of the bread and wine is changed into the body and blood of Christ, even though the outward appearances (or “accidents”) remain.
- Lutheran theology affirms that Christ is in, with, and under the elements—his body and blood are truly present, even as the bread and wine remain.
- Reformed theology often speaks of a spiritual presence: Christ is truly present, not locally or physically, but by the Holy Spirit in the act of communion.
- Eastern Orthodox theology avoids detailed metaphysical definitions but emphasizes the reality of Christ’s presence and the mystical nature of the sacrament.
What unites these views is the shared affirmation that the Eucharist is not a bare memorial. It is an act in which Christ gives himself to us in a real and transformative way.
3. Communion as Participation
The New Testament uses powerful language to describe the Eucharist. Paul writes:
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16)
The word for participation is koinonia—the same word used for “fellowship” or “communion.” In the Eucharist, we don’t just remember Christ. We partake of him. We share in his life, in his death, and in his resurrection.
This is not just individual communion but corporate. As Paul goes on to say, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body” (1 Cor. 10:17). The Eucharist is both vertical and horizontal: it unites us to Christ and to one another.
4. Real Presence and the Transformation of the Church
Believing in Christ’s real presence has implications far beyond the walls of the church. If we truly receive Christ in the Eucharist, we are called to become what we receive—the Body of Christ for the world.
Augustine put it this way:
“If you receive worthily, you are what you have received.” (Sermon 272)
The Eucharist transforms us. It nourishes our faith, forgives our sins, and deepens our union with Christ. But it also compels us to live as a Eucharistic people—offering ourselves in love, pursuing reconciliation, and serving the world with compassion.
Conclusion: A Holy Mystery to Embrace
The doctrine of real presence resists simplification. It invites us not into speculation, but into worship. The God who became flesh now feeds us with himself. The same Jesus who broke bread with his disciples on the night of his betrayal still meets us at the table today.
The Eucharist is a mystery, yes—but it is a mystery given. A sacrament of presence. A foretaste of glory. And in every act of faithful communion, Christ is not merely remembered—he is received.
