[xzins]

I have no problem with persons and things spiritual being real.

It is, therefore, appropriate to consider that when one reads Jesus’ words about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. He said about them, “These words are SPIRIT and they are life.”

Spirit does NOT equal symbolic. You yourself said that Spirit is REAL.

His body is REAL food. His presence is SPIRITUAL based on His own words. Therefore, He can say, “This IS my body.” and He can be speaking of a REALITY.....a Spiritual Reality.

Therefore, transubstantial is an unnecessary addition. Spiritual ALREADY is real.

[nanetteclaret]

Jesus said his “words” are “spirit.” He didn’t say His “body” was “spirit.” He said His body was “flesh.” Yes, His body is a spiritual reality, but it is also a literal reality. Transubstantiation is how it happens, not an unneccesary addition.

[P-Marlowe]

Do Catholics deny the "reality" of the Holy Spirit or the Father because both are Spiritual rather than physical?

Since Jesus also is "spirit", his spiritual presence at the communion is as "real" as it gets.

If his physical body were present, then he would have to be literally torn limb from limb on a daily basis to accommodate all the masses that are performed. To believe that Christ is "physically" present at the Eucharist is to assume that his physical body is not "real".

In other words, Christ's "real" physical presence in the Eucharist would only be possible if his physical body were not "real".

Since his physical body is "real", his presence in the Eucharist is "spiritual".

Carry on.