The Bible never said it wasn't symbolic either. I don't believe in the Catholic Church or their traditions. I do believe ONLY SCRIPTURE, so I don't plan to agree to any Popes or Creeds today. No where does the Bible say that the bread and wine changes. And the Bible does say that it was bread and wine. So if you want to take it literally and not a parable then it was bread and wine and the Bible doesn't say a prayer can change it or that Jesus changed it.
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’"
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him" (John 6:51–56).
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26)
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see anywhere in the Scriptures where Our Lord says, "This symbolizes my body." I do see Him saying "this IS my body" and emphasizing that we need to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood.
Seems to me that if you insist on the Bible alone, then you should agree that the bread and wine become His Body and His Blood. He says it, I believe it. Don't you?