You are asking me to "reasonably and sensibly" explain a miracle. The Holy Mass is a window opened through time where we are transported to the foot of the Cross where we become present at the Sacrifice of Christ completed His glorious resurrection. This encounter with Christ visibly takes form as drinking His blood and eating His flesh, and it is giving us eternal life. In this form, the redemption wrought by Him is applied to our souls. At this moment a communion occurs: we come in the company of Christ, John the Baptist, Mary, the Holy Apostles and all the saints, and the congregation of all the faithful and we celebrate together.
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. (John 6:56-59, your verse numbering is probably off by 1)