Hi, Kelly —
The Greek word translated remembrance is anamnesis. It is a complex
word. It means to make present.
So when we celebrate the Eucharist,
we make present the Once for all
Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary. The
Resurrection is also made present
and we are also present at the Heavenly
liturgy taking place as described
in Revelation 4 and 5 and Hebrews
12.
Like the Jews, we participate in
the event; we enter into the Mystery.
The Catholic understanding of the
Real Presence is not like any Protestant
notion. We believe the sacramental Presence remains after the remaining
consecrated hosts are put back in
the tabernacle. At the consecration,
what was bread and wine, becomes
the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity
of Jesus Christ present under, what
appears to be, bread and wine.
Nevertheless, the bread and wine
are no longer there, their appearance or accidents (taste, touch, smell and look) remain.
The substance is Jesus Christ. We
call this Transubstantiation and
this can only take place in a Church
that has retained valid Holy Orders
and Apostolic succession.
No Protestant church falls into that
category.
John
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