Embodiment and the Eucharist

The Eucharist, a central rite in Christian liturgy, is steeped in theological significance and interpretive complexity. Jesus’ declaration at the Last Supper, “This is my body,” has been the subject of extensive theological debate and philosophical inquiry. This essay explores how the philosophies of embodiment articulated by Richard Kearney and Paul Ricoeur intertwine with theological understandings of the Eucharist, particularly in relation to the doctrines of Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation, Zwingli’s symbolic memorialism, and Richard Hooker’s sacramental theology. By examining these perspectives, we aim to enrich our understanding of the Eucharist’s incarnational and interpretive dimensions.


Richard Kearney’s Carnal Hermeneutics and the Eucharist


Richard Kearney’s concept of “carnal hermeneutics” positions the body as the primary site of interpretation and meaning-making. He argues that our sensory and tactile experiences are fundamental to how we understand the world. In the context of the Eucharist, Kearney’s philosophy invites us to consider the sacrament not merely as a symbolic act but as a deeply carnal encounter. When Jesus says, “This is my body,” it becomes an invitation to engage with the divine through the physical elements of bread and wine. The Eucharist, therefore, is not just an intellectual exercise but a sensory engagement that involves touching, tasting, and consuming—an embodied participation in the sacred.


Kearney challenges dualistic separations of spirit and flesh, proposing that the sacred is experienced through the senses. This perspective resonates with the incarnational reality of the Divine made flesh, emphasizing that the Eucharist unites the symbolic and the physical, the eternal and the temporal, in the mystery of embodiment. The sacrament becomes a space where the divine presence is not abstract but intimately connected to our bodily experiences.


Paul Ricoeur’s Narrative Identity and the Eucharist


Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutics and concept of narrative identity further illuminate the significance of the Eucharist. He posits that symbols and narratives mediate profound truths, connecting individuals to larger realities. The phrase “This is my body” functions as both a symbol and a narrative encapsulating the story of divine redemption through Jesus Christ. The Eucharist invites participants into this unfolding narrative of salvation, fostering a shared identity within the faith community.


Ricoeur’s idea of attestation—the embodied trust in one’s identity and actions—echoes in the Eucharistic act. By partaking in the body of Christ, believers affirm their identity as members of a sacred community bound by a common narrative. The sacrament becomes an ethical call to live out the values embodied by Christ, emphasizing relationality and communal responsibility.


Comparative Theological Perspectives


To fully appreciate how Kearney’s and Ricoeur’s philosophies interact with theological doctrines, it is essential to compare and contrast their perspectives with various understandings of the Eucharist.


Transubstantiation


The Roman Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation asserts that during the Eucharist, the substances of bread and wine are transformed into the actual body and blood of Christ, while their appearances remain unchanged. This change is understood as a literal transformation at the level of substance, rooted in Aristotelian metaphysics and articulated by Thomas Aquinas.


Both Kearney’s emphasis on embodiment and the doctrine of Transubstantiation affirm the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The sensory engagement highlighted by Kearney parallels the sacramental reality in Transubstantiation, where the material elements are central to experiencing the sacred. However, while Transubstantiation involves a specific metaphysical claim about substance and accidents, Kearney’s philosophy is more phenomenological, focusing on human experience and interpretation rather than ontological change. Thus, while there is convergence in emphasizing the tangible encounter with the Divine, there is divergence in the explanatory frameworks—metaphysical doctrine versus philosophical hermeneutics.


Consubstantiation


Consubstantiation, often associated with Lutheran theology, holds that the body and blood of Christ are present “in, with, and under” the forms of bread and wine. Unlike Transubstantiation, it asserts that the substances of bread and wine coexist with the body and blood of Christ.


Kearney’s challenge to the dualistic separation of spirit and flesh resonates with Consubstantiation’s coexistence model. Both perspectives acknowledge the union of the divine and the material in the Eucharist. The real, substantial presence of Christ alongside the bread and wine aligns with the emphasis on sensory engagement and embodiment. However, Kearney’s approach remains phenomenological, without prescribing a specific metaphysical explanation for Christ’s presence. Consubstantiation, on the other hand, offers a theological account of how Christ is present, focusing on doctrinal specifics that Kearney’s philosophy does not address.


Zwingli’s Symbolic Memorialism


Huldrych Zwingli, a Reformation leader, viewed the Eucharist primarily as a symbolic memorial of Christ’s sacrifice. He argued that the bread and wine are representations meant to inspire remembrance and faith, rejecting notions of physical or substantial presence.


Ricoeur’s emphasis on symbols mediating profound truths aligns with Zwingli’s view of the Eucharist as a symbolic act. Both perspectives value the role of symbols and narratives in connecting believers to the foundational story of salvation. However, Kearney’s focus on the physical and sensory aspects of the Eucharist contrasts with Zwingli’s symbolic memorialism. While Zwingli downplays the physicality of the sacrament, Kearney invites a deeper sensory engagement that suggests a more incarnational understanding of Christ’s presence. Thus, the philosophies of Kearney and Ricoeur both converge and diverge with Zwingli’s interpretation, sharing an appreciation for symbolism but differing on the role of embodiment.


Richard Hooker’s Sacramental Theology


Richard Hooker, an influential Anglican theologian, offered a mediating position that affirmed the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist while emphasizing the mystery of this presence. He rejected precise explanations of how Christ is present, considering it a divine mystery beyond human comprehension.


Hooker’s theology shares significant common ground with the philosophies of Kearney and Ricoeur. Both acknowledge the real presence of Christ and embrace the mystery inherent in the sacrament. Kearney’s focus on the sensory experience of the Eucharist complements Hooker’s acceptance of the sacrament as a means of spiritual nourishment through faith. Ricoeur’s narrative identity aligns with Hooker’s view of the Eucharist as a unifying act within the Church, fostering communal bonds and ethical living.


The primary difference lies in the foundational approaches: Hooker’s theology is rooted in ecclesiastical tradition and theological reasoning, whereas Kearney and Ricoeur employ contemporary philosophical frameworks. While Hooker emphasizes the spiritual reception of Christ’s presence, Kearney’s philosophy highlights the physical embodiment and sensory engagement as central to experiencing the sacred.


Conclusion


The philosophies of Richard Kearney and Paul Ricoeur offer rich frameworks for exploring the embodied and interpretive dimensions of the Eucharist. By emphasizing sensory engagement, narrative identity, and the communal aspects of faith, they provide fresh insights into Jesus’ proclamation, “This is my body.” Their perspectives resonate with various theological doctrines, affirming the real presence of Christ and the profound mystery of the sacrament.


Comparing these philosophies with the doctrines of Transubstantiation and Consubstantiation reveals shared emphases on embodiment and divine presence, albeit through different explanatory frameworks. Contrasting them with Zwingli’s symbolic memorialism highlights differences in the understanding of embodiment and the role of physicality in the sacrament. Richard Hooker’s sacramental theology emerges as a harmonious intersection, embracing mystery and real presence in a way that complements the philosophical explorations of Kearney and Ricoeur.


Ultimately, integrating philosophical perspectives on embodiment enriches our understanding of the Eucharist, inviting believers to engage more deeply with the sacrament as a transformative encounter that unites the physical and the divine. It emphasizes that the Eucharist is not merely a ritual to be observed but a profound participation in the sacred narrative of redemption—a holistic integration of body, mind, and spirit in the journey of faith.

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