[armydoc]

So do you believe Jesus when He says: John 6:53-57 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you ; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. HE WHO EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD ABIDES IN ME, AND I IN HIM. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.” If you don’t believe Him regarding the Eucharist, then why did the Church Fathers?

I believe Jesus is using "eating His flesh and drinking His blood" as a metaphore for a deep, saving belief in Him. The same John passages speak of this action as being both necessary and sufficient for salvation. The only single action that the totality of scripture clearly states to be both necessary and sufficient for salvation is a belief in Jesus. Not even the Catholic Church teaches that taking the Eucharist is either necessary or sufficient for salvation.

Regarding the opinions of the church fathers, I give them the same weight as any other man's opinion- they are correct to the extent that they conform to scripture. The fact that they lived close to the time of Jesus does not mean they are necessarily correct- Peter himself showed gross misunderstanding several times despite being taught by Jesus Himself!

[rbosque]

Jesus was spoke in metaphors but not there. His disciples and the Jews walked away because they took Him at His word but did not understand (John 6:66). The Catholic Church who has handed down the faith takes Him at His word. The Eucharistic miracles throughout the centuries are witnesses to it. If you do not take Him at His word then how is it you "believe" Jesus? Apperantly He can turn water into wine, feed the 5000, raise the dead, cure the sick but He cannot perform this miracle? You said..."Not even the Catholic Church teaches that taking the Eucharist is either necessary or sufficient for salvation." That is the most absurd statement I've read on this thread. I am Catholic, I know what I and the Church believes. The Eucharist IS the source and summit of our faith. It is enathema NOT to believe in the Real Presence. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church starting with paragraph 1322. The rest of your statements on sufficiency are not correct either. But if you still insist on denying Christ's presence in the Eucharist that is you affair. I think I gave you ample evidence.