From Orthodoxinfo.com by Anastasia Theodoridis [emphases added]:
Jesus said we must drink His Blood and eat His Body to abide in Him and have eternal Life in us. [St. John 6:53-57]
These are hard words to understand. Catholics and others, to guard the doctrine of the Real Presence, declare that in Holy Communion, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ physically, materially. Most Protestants, to guard against magic, call transubstantiation hocus pocus and insist the bread and wine are symbolic only.
Orthodox Christians point out that both sides of this argument rest upon a common assumption; namely, that for anything to be real, it must be physical.
Conversely, if a thing is not physically real, it must be metaphorical or symbolic. This assumption, frankly, is unvarnished materialism.
But Christians are called to be spiritual people. By the eyes of faith, we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. [II Cor. 4:18]
The presence of Christs glorified, resurrected Body and Blood in the Eucharist is spiritual (or mystical), meaning not carnal, not merely symbolic, and absolutely real.
When Jesus disciples had difficulty understanding His words on this subject, Jesus explained, It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. [St. John 6:62-63]
That His words are spirit does not mean they are symbolic, as it would in worldly thinking; it means having to do with the Holy Spirit, Who accomplishes the Mystery of the Real Presence.
In another place, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman the time is coming when true worshippers will worship God in spirit and in truth. [St. John 4:23-24] In spirit does not mean, having the right attitude, as it would among secular people; it means having the Holy Spirit.
That Christ's Presence in the Eucharist is spiritual by no means implies it cannot accomplish physical things or is devoid of physical consequences."
Hmmmmm
I construe it such that Christ is Present at—and in—in some SPIRITUAL sense in The Lord’s Supper.
But I don’t think Annalex would be eager to construe me a Roman. LOL.
Kosta, that quote is one fabulous explanation of the Eucharist!
” Orthodox Christians point out that both sides of this argument rest upon a common assumption; namely, that for anything to be real, it must be physical.
Conversely, if a thing is not physically real, it must be metaphorical or symbolic. This assumption, frankly, is unvarnished materialism.”
This is the product of Aristolian logic having crept into Western theology in the Middle Ages.