As an antidote to the widespread lack of faith in the Real Presence, theologian Scott Hahn prescribes a look at the early Church’s understanding of the relationship between the Eucharist and parousia. In modern times we understand “parousia” to refer to the glorious second coming of Christ, but in the time of Paul this was not so; on the contrary the same word, parousia, could refer merely to one’s bodily presence. While the presence of Christ now is hidden under the humble forms of bread and wine, He is truly with us in the Eucharist. The hope we have of the glorious second coming of Christ is fulfilled at every Mass!
