By Thomas Griffin, Crisis Magazine - The Catholic Church has proclaimed the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist since it was spoken of by Christ himself. He taught the crowds, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day” (John 6:54). At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “This is my body… this is my blood” (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-19; 1 Corinthians 11:24). Notice, He did not say this is a symbol or a mere reference to His presence, but that it actually is Him.