In different parts of Turkey, you can find images like this where the artist was clearly trying to show that Jesus is truly present in the chalice.
You go back to the early Church Fathers and read their words and you can see that they understood that the Eucharist was/is the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
Communion was no mere symbol to them. It was life-sustaining “bread”: “Bread” from Heaven that was even more sustaining and more important than the manna from Heaven, which was a foreshadowing of the Eucharist.
Understanding the history of the Church on the matter of the Eucharist was part of what helped me convert.
What would be the point of mere bread and grape juice anyway for the spiritual life?
Partaking of the Christ in the Eucharist? Well, that changes everything and is actual nourishment for the soul.
Today, is the Feast of Corpus Christi, Catholic Pilgrims. Christ is truly present on our altars given as a gift to nourish and sustain us on this pilgrimage through life.
Have a blessed Sunday.
