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******“For if sacraments had not some points of real resemblance to the things of which they are the sacraments, they would not be sacraments at all. In most cases, moreover, they do in virtue of this likeness bear the names of the realities which they resemble. As, therefore, in a certain manner the sacrament of Christ’s body is Christ’s body, and the sacrament of Christ’s blood is Christ’s blood. (Augustine, Letters, 98)******

Augustine here is saying that the Sacrament are sacraments because they are REAL, as in TRUE, ACTUAL, AUTHENTIC in regards to that which they are named for. They bear the realities, as in...the state of being true to that which name they bear. Therefore, if the sacrament was not real, it would not be named for the realities which it bears.

So in a certain manner, that is without doubt in some way, the Sacrament is Christ’s body and Christ’s blood.

Augustine here is trying to explain how it is that we see and taste bread and wine, but we are partaking in Christ’s body and blood.

TRANSUBSTANTIATION!

The word symbolic or symbolism is not used here. Rather the words used are certain, real, realities. This is conjunction with Augustine’s assertion you posted shows that he did in fact try to explain the Eucharist as transubstantiation, but did use that word.

Your other “proof” that Augustine did not believe....

“They said therefore unto Him, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” For He had said to them, *****“œLabor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto eternal life.” “What shall we do?” they ask; by observing what, shall we be able to fulfill this precept? “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He has sent.” This is then to eat the meat, not that which perisheth, but that which endureth unto eternal life. To what purpose dost thou make ready teeth and stomach? Believe, and thou hast eaten already.*****

Here Augustine is speaking of Jesus’ rebuke of the crowds who followed Him after the feeding of the five thousand. They wanted a full belly and no idea of the eternal nature of the food which Jesus would give them to eat. Augustine is simply reiterating what Christ said, Why do you eat? Is is for earthly satiation or for eternal life?

“This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him who He has sent.” That is what the Church does.....we believe Jesus, whom God has sent when He says, “unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life within you.”

*****” Understand spiritually what I have said; ye are not to eat this body which ye see; nor to drink that blood which they who will crucify Me shall pour forth. I have commended unto you a certain mystery; spiritually understood, it will quicken. Although it is needful that this be visibly celebrated, yet it must be spiritually understood.” NPNF1: Vol. VIII, St. Augustin on the Psalms, Psalm 99 (98)****

This passage goes back again to the misunderstanding of those disciples who left Christ after hearing His exhortation that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood.

******I have commended unto you a certain mystery; spiritually understood, it will quicken.******

Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material. See synonyms at immaterial.
Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul.
Of, from, or relating to God; deific.
Of or belonging to a church or religion; sacred.
Relating to or having the nature of spirits or a spirit; supernatural.

When we look at this definition of spiritual, since there is not real definition of “spiritually”, we see that the first definition is “not tangible” or “material”.

It is stated quite clearly here, THIS IS A MYSTERY which is not tangibly or materially seen but this mystery does quicken, that is gives life.

Still no refutation of the Real Presence through transubstantiation.

****These are pretty firm refutations of the Catholic View. They even understand John 6 in the way Protestants do today. Augustine isn’t alone in this. Here’s from a Pope:*****

Only in the wishful thinking of non Catholics, especially when taken together with all the other Augustine sermons regarding this subject.

*****The idea of a constant tradition on this matter is simply fiction. It stands only by reading into the Fathers the current theology of Rome today, and falsely claiming that all held the same view.*****

Wrong again as I could copy and paste quote after quote after quote going all the way back to the first century the men and women of the faith trying to explain this MYSTERY and supporting the Catholic understanding of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

I will finish by asking you to name that Church to which Augustine belonged to and served as Bishop of Hippo for more than thirty years. Come on, I know you can:)

“Augustine here is saying that the Sacrament are sacraments because they are REAL, as in TRUE, ACTUAL, AUTHENTIC”

He says that they have the names they do by “virtue of this LIKENESS... of the realities which they RESEMBLE.” Unless, of course, you believe that the sacrament of the Holy Spirit (the oil that he used to anoint the new believers) or the Kiss of Peace, are really, truly, authentically the transubstantiated Spirit and Peace placed into the oil and the kisses respectively.

“Then came baptism, and you were, in a manner of speaking, moistened with water in order to be shaped into bread. But it’s not yet bread without fire to bake it. So what does fire represent? That’s the chrism, the anointing. Oil, the fire-feeder, you see, is the sacrament of the Holy Spirit.” (Augustine, Ser. 227)

Another, the sacrament of the kiss of peace:

“After that comes Peace be with you; a great sacrament, the kiss of peace. So kiss in such a way as really meaning that you love. Don’t be Judas; Judas the traitor kissed Christ with his mouth, while setting a trap for him in his heart. But perhaps somebody has unfriendly feelings toward you, and you are unable to win him round, to show him he’s wrong; you’re obliged to tolerate him. Don’t pay him back evil for evil in your heart. He hates; just you love, and you can kiss him without anxiety.” (Augustine, Ser. 227)

“Therefore, if the sacrament was not real, it would not be named for the realities which it bears.”

It does not say they “bear” the realities, he says they resemble the realities:

“... bear the names of the realities which they resemble.”

The kiss of peace “resembles” the reality it is representing in the kiss. The bread resembles the body of Christ and the Church itself, which is the body of Christ. In fact, to Augustine, the point of the Eucharist is to emphasize Christian unity with each other and with God.

“If you, therefore, are Christ’s body and members, it is your own mystery that is placed on the Lord’s table! It is your own mystery that you are receiving!” (Augustine, Serm. 272).

“They wanted a full belly and no idea of the eternal nature of the food which Jesus would give them to eat. Augustine is simply reiterating what Christ said, Why do you eat? Is is for earthly satiation or for eternal life?”

Augustine says “Believe, and thou hast eaten already.”

According to the RCC, one has not eaten until they’ve literally taken a bite offered to them in church. No one “believes” and takes the Eucharist through faith. Well, CHRISTIANS do, but not Catholics.

“This passage goes back again to the misunderstanding of those disciples who left Christ after hearing His exhortation that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood.”

Earlier you said that we live with “disjointed” scripture. So, are you saying that John 6 has NOTHING to do with the Lord’s Supper wherein we are instructed to celebrate it for the purpose of “remembrance?” In both cases Jesus Christ is talking about eating and drinking Him, though to be understood spiritually and received through faith. Why are we separating that from the Lord’s Supper? It’s not like Christ commanded us, as a matter of salvation to celebrate, but rather as a memorial.

“Only in the wishful thinking of non Catholics, especially when taken together with all the other Augustine sermons regarding this subject.”

I’m quote confident you guys live in an alternate dimension where every time Augustine, in this dimension, says “resemblance,” “signified,” or “likeness,” in your dimension it reads “just kidding!” after all of it! Must be a funny dimension.