What would a scientist find?

The mechanics of the transformation that occurs at every Mass have been the subject of controversy since at least the Reformation in the sixteenth century. Although Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic Christians use different terms and theological language to explain the change that takes place, it seems clear to me from what I have read, seen and heard that they share the same essential conviction: the bread and wine taken, blessed and offered in the Eucharist become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. What was once ordinary food is no longer ordinary food. The belief that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist and that a real transformation takes place is consistent with what Christians believed, taught and practised from apostolic times onwards.

At the time of the Reformation, this ancient consensus was fractured, even though the original disputes arose largely in other areas of doctrine, particularly the nature of salvation, the role of Scripture and the authority of the Pope.

Perhaps, in the fullness of time, Christians will find a common language capable of expressing their shared faith in the Eucharistic mystery and helping to restore the unity for which Christ prayed.

Pushed to its limits, one might ask a provocative question: if a consecrated host were hypothetically analysed in a laboratory, what would scientists find? The answer would be entirely consistent with Catholic belief in the Real Presence. They would find the physical and chemical properties of bread. Likewise, if the human body of Jesus had been subjected to scientific analysis during his earthly life, scientists would have found bodily organs, cells and tissues. Yet no laboratory test could have established that he was fully divine.

The purpose of these examples is to emphasise once again that the mystery of the Eucharist does not admit of reduction to chemical or physical analysis. The Real Presence is not something that can be measured by scientific instruments. Rather, it is a mystery known through faith. Belief in the Real Presence is a gift of faith and a treasure of the Christian tradition, firmly rooted in Sacred Scripture and handed down through the worship and witness of the Church across the centuries.