[Springfield Reformer]

But all Caths typical evidence they see is "this is My body" as teaching a basically literal (fully would mean actual vs. trans...) nature of the body and blood, and thus so focus on the wafer that they could just as well "take communion" (not take part in it) independently of others. And being thus conditioned some even rush out after they have done so. Yet many Prot. churches are not much better, missing the communal union with Christ and each other.

Indeed, this is one of the great takeaways I'm getting out of this whole analysis.  It has altered my expectations for what the memorial meal should be like. Evangelicals have not generally become entangled in the idolatry of the ritual, but the sense of connection within the body of Christ this is designed to foster is still not what it should be.  We have become too entangled with our clocks, and our lives outside the fellowship of faith.  Though not universally.  I have known smaller fellowship for whom this was a very precious time of being together in the Lord.

Peace,

SR

[daniel1212]

Indeed, this is one of the great takeaways I'm getting out of this whole analysis. It has altered my expectations for what the memorial meal should be like. Evangelicals have not generally become entangled in the idolatry of the ritual, but the sense of connection within the body of Christ this is designed to foster is still not what it should be.

Yes, it seems it centered on thinking about what Christ did in dying for our salvation as we partake in the ceremony of consuming a piece of bread and i bit of grape juice, but not on remembering that by showing that love toward each by the communal sharing (but not that the members come there looking to satisfy hunger).

Which "feast of charity" (Jude 12:12) i believe was a actual meal (how else could some be full, and others hungry?), not just a piece of bread, and seeing each other as being part of the body of Christ for whom He died, as precious as Caths. are sppsd to see the wafer, and lovingly sharing food with each other, feeding the body.

And which is to sppsd to be continuous expression towards the body as a distinct people, a holy nation. Kinda like those survival scenarios when everyone has to look out for each others. Instead we are too much like running parts. Not that i do not spend lots of time alone, and live rather independent, but see what we a sppsd to be.

Part of the problem is that the West fosters this lack of community, while persecution and lack of resources (its coming) are more conducive to community.