So one cannot have eternal life unless he/she believes in the Eucharist and literally consumes Jesus body and blood physically?
That would be consistent with your unequivocal understanding of the verse, but want to make sure.
“Unless you eat by Body and drink my Blood you will not have life everlasting.”
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ “
Pretty clear language. Either Our Lord is God and He means it, or not.
Too bad for the thief on the cross, whom Jesus told “Surely today you shall be with Me in paradise.”
The thief didn’t have communion, though...so I guess Jesus got it wrong? The guy WON’T be with Jesus in paradise??
Ed