Real Presence

Real Presence is a term encapsulating belief that Jesus is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist. This is a doctrine regarding Holy Communion, is maintained in Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and many (but not all) Anglican traditions of Christianity. The degree of presence (i.e., physical presence transubstantiation, spiritual presence consubstantiation is debated between the various denominations.

According to the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions, the "Real Presence" reflects the nature of the elements after the Consecration; according to Catholic doctrine, at the moment of Consecration, the elements (or "gifts" as they are termed for liturgical purposes) are transformed (literally transubstantiated) into the actual Body and Blood of Christ. The terms "elements" or "gifts" are preferred, as it is theologically incorrect to refer to the "bread" or "wine" after they have been consecrated, as Catholics believe they are no longer bread and wine. Catholic doctrine holds that the elements are not only spiritually transformed, but rather are actually (substantially) transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. The elements retain the appearance or "accidents" of bread and wine, but are indeed the actual Body and Blood of Christ, the actual, physical presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. For this reason, what remains of the sacrament after the Communion procession is reserved in the Tabernacle, where it can be utilized for later Masses, for private devotion and prayer, as well as for public Eucharistic adoration.

Lutherans believe that the Body and Blood of Christ are really present "in, with and under" the Bread and Wine, so that communicants receive both the elements and Christ Himself (this has also been called consubstantiation. The disagreement between these two groups centers on what happens to the bread and wine. Christians outside of these traditions may also hold to varieties of the doctrine of Real Presence, but view the presence of Christ as spiritual and not physical.

In the Reformed understanding, Communion (more frequently called the Lord's Supper or the Lord's Table) is sometimes construed as a symbolic meal, a memorial of the Last Supper and the Passion in which nothing miraculous occurs. For this reason, many of these groups allow the administration of the Supper by lay people. These groups do not accept the doctrine of the Real Presence. Ulrich Zwingli and some Reformed Christians dispute the meaning of "Real Presence". Some insist that instead of Christ's body and blood coming down to inhabit the elements, the faithful are, via the Holy Spirit, brought to the right hand of the Father, where they feed on the risen, glorified Christ, partaking even of his physical nature in the supper.

Methodism has not issued a definitive statement regarding how the presence of Christ is experienced. While transubstantiation is rejected, the followers of John Wesley have typically affirmed that the grace of Christ is experienced via his real presence in the sacrament, but have allowed the details to remain a mystery. (See Means of Grace)