[metmom]

I'm sure you do, but we aren't discussing raw meat, we are discussing the Body of Christ. Read Luke 24:13-32 sometime.

If the Eucharist is supposed to turn into the actual body and blood of Christ, literally, then why doesn't it look like it?

[Quix]

Because it’s literal except when it’s symbolic/spiritual except when it’s literal except when it’s symbolic/spiritual except when it’s literal except when it’s symbolic/spiritual except when it’s literal except when it’s symbolic/spiritual except when it’s literal except when it’s symbolic/spiritual . . .

depending, of course, on what’s good for THE INSTITUTION at the time vis a vis the audience concerned, the direction the wind is blowing and the particular pattern the latest rain of white hankys has landed in.

[wagglebee]

If the Eucharist is supposed to turn into the actual body and blood of Christ, literally, then why doesn't it look like it?

He is the True Vine, why was He never reported to look like one?

True faith requires going beyond our human senses and logic.

[RobbyS]

Now this is my personal formulation, and so this is not authoritative, We start with the doctrine of the "Real Presence." That means that in the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present under the form of bread and wine. This takes place actually but also"out of time." with ourselves" present" during the passion of Our Lord in a way that we cannot comprehend. We are participating in his sacrifice, in his redemptive act, by physically taking the host and the wine. but He is" here" and we are there at the same time. IF our hearts are open to receive Him. He is there, but we must be saying "yes. Lord" to " receive " Him in the right way. . As to appearances. Science teaches us that "matter" in the old fashioned sense of the term, is an impression. Even the "atoms" of bread are, if we go deeply enough, illusive to our "touch." If they exist, they exist as God sees them, and not in the imperfect way we se them. Calvin taught that the "power" of Jesus was present in the bread and wine during Communion. Do you you that means anything significant ? Let m pose this question around. If they are only "symbols" of Him, then what is the point of conducting the "service." how is it more meaningful than, say, ceremoniously washing the feet of your fellow church members?