ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on May 11, 2004

Dear Theresa: Catholics believe in the Real Presence because that is what Christ taught in John 6. Many of his disciples could not take this teaching, which they took literally, and left Jesus. If Jesus meant this to be a mere symbol why did he not bring those disciples back saying, "Folks, I only mean this symbolically"? Instead Jesus held his ground and his teaching on the Eucharist. He even risked the departure of His beloved Twelve. He turned to the Twelve and said, "Will you leave me too?" St Peter replied, "Where would be go Lord, for it is you that have the words of eternal life." Jesus spoke literally, not symbolically. This is proven by the context and events described in John 6. Protestant do not believe this, but believe the Lord's supper is a symbol, because the founders of Protestantism were heretics seeking to run away from Mother Church and do their own thing. Like teenagers rebelling against their parents teaching, the founders of Protestantism tended to abandon many of the teachings of the Mother Church; and like runaway teenagers the founders of Protestantism and many of their followers must demonize the Catholic Church to justify their running away from the True Church in the Fullness of the Faith of Christ and his Apostles. On the issue of the Mass: The Mass is a re-presentation of the same sacrifice of Christ 2000 years ago. It is NOT killing Christ over and over again, anymore than Protestants conducting a Passion play are crucifying Christ all over again. We must remember that God is outside of space and time. Thus God can make Himself present throughout time. Thus the sacrifice of Jesus in 33AD is made present in the Mass today. It is not a new sacrifice, but the same sacrifice of 33AD. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary