The Eucharist in the Fourth Gospel

It is surprising that the Fourth Evangelist, with his marked interest in the symbolical, should have omitted from his account of the Last Supper all reference to the Eucharist. Yet the instinct of the Church has rightly seen in ‘John’ (whoever be the person behind the name) the supreme New Testament teacher on the sacraments. Time and again, sometimes with hints that are not always obvious save to those who have insight into his mind and methods, he points his readers to the two great sacraments of the Church. It is with good reason that medieval artists are wont to portray Peter carrying the keys, Paul the sword, but John the sacramental cup.