St. Augustine used an analogy of the individual grains of wheat becoming united in one loaf as we become united in communion with the Lord.
It is remarkable the degree to which the Mass I attend daily mirrors the one spoken of by St. Augustine. Is your purely symbolic service in any way like his?
Peace be with you
“St. Augustine used an analogy of the individual grains of wheat becoming united in one loaf as we become united in communion with the Lord.”
Not only does Augustine say that we are the individual grains, and are, in fact, what is offered on the table (do you believe WE are transubstantiated into the bread?) He makes it clear that he is speaking of symbols.
“What you can see passes away, but the invisible reality signified does not pass away, but remains. Look, it’s received, it’s eaten, it’s consumed. Is the body of Christ consumed, is the Church of Christ consumed, are the members of Christ consumed? Perish the thought! Here they are being purified, there they will be crowned with the victor’s laurels. So what is signified will remain eternally, although the thing that signifies it seems to pass away.”
The higher reality is what is valued, the message that it conveys, that needs to be understood.