"Ingenious" or not, Thomas saw it, and the Council of Trent said of those Catholics who do not believe it, "Let him be anathema."  Yes, they talked that way, but we get the point.  There is direct Scriptural support for Thomas' view.  When Jesus was at Capernaum, he told his followers they must eat his flesh and drink his blood.  Not believing what they'd heard --- it sounded like cannibalism to them, as it did to Calvin --- many disciples asked, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” According to John, “From that time on, many of his disciples broke away and would not remain in his company.” (John 6:66).  Jesus did NOT say, "Wait.  Come back, you misunderstood me.  What I really meant was. . . ."  No; he turned to the Apostles and said, "Do you want to leave me too?”  Peter answered, “Lord to whom shall we go?"  So they were not surprised or disbelieving when he later said, "This is my body."   The Eucharist is a sublime, holy communion with Jesus.