Communion Central to Christianity?

[RZehr]

Recently the French seemingly mocked the last supper at the Olympics. I read this article: https://clintschnekloth.substack.com/p/ ... -at-a-drag which contained the following:

Although it’s become so familiar to us that we’ve mostly stopped thinking about it, it’s genuinely bizarre that at the center of Christian practice is our consumption of the flesh and blood of our Savior.

While I recognize what he is saying, I find it “genuinely bizarre” to think that communion is at the center at all. How did we get here? Communion is - in brief - a remembrance that Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. And I suppose that if we forget that, then we need to revert to animal sacrifices, I guess?
I thought Jesus, following Jesus, was the center of Christianity.

How accurate do you think it is to say that communion is the center for some? Why? What would you call the center?
How come people think of communion as the core thing? Is it simply man’s need for a ceremony that caused it to rise to preeminence?

[barnhart]

I would guess the reason you ask that question is because you are not a sacramentalist in the sense that you don't believe sacraments has salvific power but rather are symbolic or emblematic.

[Josh]

People who think the Eucharist is the highlight of Christian practice will think its central. Those of us who think we should spend our time trying to follow what Jesus taught us to do will simply consider it one of many things that he told us to do.

[Ernie]

How accurate do you think it is to say that communion is the center for some? Why? What would you call the center?
How come people think of communion as the core thing? Is it simply man’s need for a ceremony that caused it to rise to preeminence?

I've participated in a couple Christian Panel Discussions on campus and for Catholics, Mass is definitely front and center. It is the primary way by which Catholics believe they are receiving Divine grace. Which is why the most faithful try to do it at least once a day. Some try to do it twice per day which is the maximum number of times the Catholic church allows. Max, you can correct me on this if I misunderstood.

[ohio jones]

Max, you can correct me on this if I misunderstood.

I think his views on the subject may have changed recently.

[temporal1]

Hoping JayP will respond to the OP.

[JayP]

While describing communion as central to Catholic belief and practice is accurate, it does not mean it supersedes the need to be obedient to God. Catholics, including Orthodox, consider communion a sacrament, a way to receive grace. To live a Christian life, obey God, avoid and fight against sin in our lives requires supernatural power. That is what grace is, God acting in us.

So, FWIIW, I would say a Catholic does not place taking communion OVER the other aspects of the Christian life, but it would be ,pmore accurate to say a well formed Catholic Christian is using the grace of sacraments as the fuel for his Christian life. We are far more recognizing the role of works you know…..LOL

You are aware I assume that a Catholic guilty of mortal sin, as opposed to venial sin, but make confession before taking communion.
Communion for us is NOT representative, it is an actual communion with God. For unless you eat his flesh……

Did that help clarify?

[Arnold33_09]

Communion is central for some because it symbolizes Jesus' sacrifice and helps them connect with their faith. However, many see following Jesus and living out his teachings as the core of Christianity.