..."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."
*Belief* in something does not cause it to happen.
Reality is reality whatever someone believes about it.
Essentially, IF the communion elements are actually changed into the literal, actual body and blood of Christ, it’s going to happen whether someone believes it or not, ceremony notwithstanding.
If the communion elements are strictly symbolic, no amount of prayers and masses are going to make it anything other than symbolic. The priest and communicants can believe all they want that it’s being transformed but if it isn’t, it isn’t.
I originally wrote (with emphasis to highlight the misquotenessitude (as we scholastics say - ;-) ) )
"I remember so well it's almost as if He were with me again -- no, he IS with me!"
But you quoted (with pizzazz added for the same reason)
"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!"
I am not arguing that "faith" or "belief" MAKES the Sacrament real or proves that it is real.
Your side has talked about "experience" or what might be called "sensible perception" as parts of our teaching (or inplications, or things that SHOULD be part, or something.) I was clarifying, not arguing. Aquinas (and repeatedly) clearly says that the manner of perception is by faith, NOT by something else. That's All is was doing.
As to the AV-aids (as I disrespectfully call them) we are talking about giving communion to several hundred folks. It takes time. So rather than just crying babies, we have three hymns during that period. Some I sing, some I don't. usually they are of the less bouncy variety of hymn so as not to disturb the private devotions (you know, vain repeptions, etc.) of those who want to, as you say, be still and know that he is God.
Thanks for this exchange. I hope it continues.