Exactly so! In one simple understanding of the Scriptures, consistent with all the Scriptures, the whole mystical, magical wafer is flesh/wine is blood but not really but becomes flesh/blood but no one can tell it business is washed away by the fresh water of truth.
“The only meaning that would make sense and could be sustained without argument or changing definitions and words would be that the bread and wine are symbols of the body and blood of Christ.”
But then no mystery to be administered only by a priest.
Reading through Paul’s letters, it would appear that the ritual was to be observed when believers/faithers in Jesus Christ gathered together in fellowship (’forsake not the gathering together of yourselves’) and it is not likely that that early body of believers had ‘a priest’ to offer the ritual remembrance at their gatherings so early on. ... I agree with you.