I find that if I were to think of this as somehow a transformation of those elements to Christ Himself somehow entering us then my focus would naturally go to the sense if or not that happened....
I'm not entirely sure I understand. First "transformation" and "sense". We keep insisting there is not a perceptible change, not "sensible", that is, not able to be sensed by the senses. The change is apprehended sola fide. It is believed. So yes, if one's faith was troubled, I suppose one's focus might shift.
... so therefore that solemn moment becomes self focused rather than on what those elements actually represent for us by what Christ did in taking away our very own sins. Of course if the problem is a weak faith, then a loss of focus on God and a distraction with focus on oneself is almost to be expected, isn't it? Isn't it by grace and faith that our focus is drawn to God?
I can only report for myself that I am not 'troubled' with wondering if Jesus is there. You could almost say I'm too busy talking and listening to Him to worry about stuff like that. Does that make sense?
I would say that the Mass, while not a 'work' in the sense that I get brownie points, is still 'work' in another way. It is, you might say, an exercise of the presence of God. We hear the Word proclaimed and a sermon. We pray for the Church and the world, which is our godly duty. The Prayer of Consecration is a shorter or longer 'recollection' of all the God has done for us in Christ, and a response of praise, prayer, and petition. Then there is the Lord's prayer, "the Peace" in which we greet those around us, and communion itself. So it's a celebration of the nearness of God: In Bible, in prayer, in one another, in sacrament. And, especially in a larger church, even if there are hymns and music, there is time to be alone and 'interior' with God.
I guess I kinda like it.
Oh! After writing all of the above claptrap, I wonder if I misunderstood you. I guess I can only respond that we have a very rich sense of remembrance. "I remember so well it's almost as if He were with me again -- no, he IS with me!"
I've said enough. Fire away.
Yes, of course, but also to be aware of being in union with the Church across the world and through time, in meeting the Eternal. Sort of a heightened consciousness. At least for me.
I know I'm not saying it very well. But I'm tired and about to turn in now.
Good night, all!
..."Belief"..humm- I would have to say many things which are not reality are "believed" just the same. People 'believe' whatever they have a mind to about whatever they might choose, and they do choose. But it does not necessarily make the object they have determined to be a reality real in and of itself. It is simply a choice of belief.
I still say, again, that I do not see Jesus mentioning "faith" in taking Communion...or that any sort of transformation or even a blessing would occur by doing so. However, there is something said about taking communion in an unworthy manner....which I think has meant a warning to non-Christians not to partake of Communion.
I don't think that the "senses" is what I am referring to...though you mentioning....("I guess I can only respond that we have a very rich 'sense' of remembrance. "I remember so well it's almost as if He were with me again -- so, he IS with me!"), which does make one wonder how then to explain Christ said He would never leave us. So how then can it be "almost as if He were with me again" if He really never leaves us??????????
I don't see His presence as something at all I must "work" at. He said "do this in remembrance of me", so it is done. Most, however, see this moment as solemn between them and the Lord...an individual moment. Whose to say or dictate how that should be?.... I think not anyone...the Lord is Big enough to handle that moment on His terms and then some.
Where I have taken Communion there is not allot of other happenings occurring other than the distribution of the elements when that moment arrives...perhaps some soft background music...but overall people are quiet. Prior there may be a good sermon about the Crucifixion or that associated with it...or maybe about searching ones heart prior to Communion. But generally it is mostly leading up to that time and about.
For me it's mostly "Be still and know that I am God."
******I’m not entirely sure I understand. First “transformation” and “sense”. We keep insisting there is not a perceptible change, not “sensible”, that is, not able to be sensed by the senses. The change is apprehended sola fide. It is believed. So yes, if one’s faith was troubled, I suppose one’s focus might shift.****
I believe the Catholic teaching of transubstantion comes from trying to force a literal meaning into a prophetic teaching
The Last Supper was actually the Last “passover “ and the 1st Lords Supper.
Gods intervention to end the slavery of His people by the Egyptians held many types that pointed to Christ’s death .
We see as a prime example the final plague God brought on the Egyptians.
Every 1st born was to die at the hand of Gods avenging angel.
God gave specific orders on how the jews were to be protected from that sword of death.
They were to have a perfect Lamb and to slaughter him. They were to spread the blood of that lamb over the drop posts ( in a shape similar to a cross) When the angel saw that blood he would pass over that home and the people inside were preserved from the plague.
God gave specific instructions on how to eat that Lamb, The passover meal was to be a ritual that would be celebrated in remembrance of the grace and salvation of God for His people. But like the passover itself the passover meal pointed to Christ..it was a prophetic meal celebrated every year by every Jew.. yet they still could not see Him.
That meal prefigured the crucification, the redemption of His people and the resurrection of Christ . So on the night Jesus was betrayed they celebrated the meal that prefigured His coming .
Christ OUR PASSOVER LAMB would be slain, and many would be saved that were under His blood.
There was a piece of matzo broken into 3 parts.
One pieces was broken and the hidden piece it was wrapped in white linen ( as Christ dead body was in the tomb ) it is called the aphikomen
When the meal is finished the host breaks off olive-size pieces of matzoh from the aphikomen and distributes them to all. They each eat it, in a reverent manner. Sometimes there is a blessing, “In memory of the Passover sacrifice, eaten after one is sated.”
It was at THIS point during the Last Supper Jesus broke the bread and passed bits to His disciples; however, Jesus added the significant words given in Luke 22:19),
Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying,[b] This is my body which is given for you:[/b] this do in remembrance of me.
The symbolic broken matzo wrapped in white linen was the symbolic body of Christ revealed in the passover meal. Jesus was revealing the prophetic nature of the passover and the passover meal.
Consider that Jews had a probation against the eating of blood, yet not one disciple asked Jesus what He meant. That is because they understood when he took the APHIKOMEN into his hands, this broken Matzo that had been hidden in a linen wrap was symbolic of HIM.
Matzo has no leaven, leaven is a sign of sin. Jesus was sinless.
The Matzo had been broken as His body would be broken .
It was wrapped in linen as He would be and be hidden for a time.
This is the exact spot where Jesus proclaimed “This is my body which is given for you.” as he held that broken Matzo
The next step of the ritual meal is drinking from the wine-goblet called the “Cup of Redemption.” That’s when Jesus said,
“This cup is the New Testament (Covenant ) in my blood, which is shed for you.”
The Passover meal was a REMEMBRANCE of the deliverance of the Jews. Just as the passover was a type of Christ so is the Passover meal.
Jesus was telling them this, and He was telling them NOW instead of the remembrance of the passover, their eyes were opened and the meaning revealed NOW they were to do the mean in remembrance of HIM, of His blood, the blood of the Lamb of God.
As He held that bread He was revealing the mystery that the symbolism held.
Think of the words the apostles used
1Cr 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
The broken matzo was a type of Christ, who’s body would be broken for them.
Then in the passover tradition
The host now takes the third cup of wine, “the cup of redemption,” or “the cup of blessing,” and offers the main table grace blessing. (In Jewish tradition, the main blessing comes after the meal.) Then they all drink from the third cup.
Luke 22:20,
“Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you’.”
Here is what the apostles and disciples said at the Lords table
1Cr 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
The were recalling “remembering” the PASSOVER ritual. THEY understood that Jesus was revealing a spiritual truth about the passover being a prophetic meal that prefigured HIM.
The Passover was fulfilled on the day that Christ died, and so from that day forward that meal not longer held a prophetic promise of a future savior, but it was now a remembrance of the completed work of salvation at the cross.
IMHO Catholics forgo actual spiritual growth by studying the word because they believe that a piece of wafer grows them to know Christ more and to be more Christlike...when in fact there is no growth to be seen