The Catholic response is that Jesus’ words are to be taken literally and not merely in a metaphorical sense. Why? Whenever Jesus speaks figuratively, the use of metaphor can be easily recognized from the content or context of the saying; but there is nothing in the content or context of the Eucharistic words to suggest that He was speaking metaphorically.
Jesus Himself gives us a key for interpreting His Eucharistic words in the Bread of Life discourse recorded by John (6.52-69), in which He clearly states that His “flesh is real food” and His “blood real drink”, given as nourishment for eternal life. When some of His disciples murmured at the unreasonableness of His words, Jesus did not retract or try to explain away His words, but allowed the unbelieving disciples to walk away from Him.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
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