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Saint Paul says: “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. [24] And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. [25] In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me.

[26] For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. [27] Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. [28] But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. [29] For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.”

(http://www.drbo.org/chapter/53011.htm)
Saint Paul is referring to the Real Presence. Should a man who is unworthily participates in Holy Eucharist “drinketh judgement to himself,” if it were only a symbol? No, he would not.

On the other hand, if, as Our Lord specifically says,”I am the living bread which came down from heaven. [52] If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. [53] The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? [54] Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. [55] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.” Notice that when the Jews do not understand, He doesn’t say this is a symbol, or that He is using a metaphor.

Instead, He adds, “[56] For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. [57] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. [58] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. [59] This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever. [60] These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum.” Here He has emphasized His teaching.
(http://www.drbo.org/chapter/50006.htm)

Pay special note to verse 55, regarding your comment: “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.”

Jesus usually explains parables to avoid confusion. He explains here, as well. However, this is NOT a parable. Otherwise, He would have made some clear indication of symbolism directly relating to these words when the Jews said that this saying was hard, since He wants all of us, you, me, the mailman, every single one of us, to strive to become more holy, and to be with Him in heaven. Without any intent to sound snarky or smart-alecky, I marvel when people do not take Him at His word.

You’re free to disagree with the Church, if that is how you feel. I’ll still pray for you, and your understanding, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart, truly. I wish all here a good evening; I’m done with this thread. Have a Blessed Sunday.

Now now . . .

you should know by now . . .

The Vatican Alice In Wonderland School Of Theology And Reality Mangling

dogma insists

that one is to take it literally . . .

except when one thinks one should take it metaphorically

which was before they meant to take it literally

which was before they meant to take it metaphorically

which was before they meant to take it literally . . .

Small wonder SKerry would try out for Dean of the College of Matrixsized Dogma?