"Christables"

[theweaselking]

Single-serving prepackaged host + wine, used in US churches. For when you want to particpate in the solemn and sacred ritual, but just don't have the TIME.

Apparently they've been around for decades, but this is the first I've heard of 'em.

(Upside: Would likely cut down on transmission of diseases?)

Comments

[dreamshade.livejournal.com]

I was going to say that, in kindness, maybe this is something you do for people who can't go to church. My Catholic grandfather often volunteered at a local nursing home, where he would bring communion to many of the residents. It might make sense to package this stuff up for cleanliness.

But then I clicked the link and saw that it came from a megachurch. And then I was just, like... yup.

[zenicurean.livejournal.com]

In fairness, it's a lot like Luke 22:19-20 says: "And he took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my vacuum-packaged gluten-free body given for you, with some artificial colourings and added nutrients; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This airplane food is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you, and opens conveniently at the upper left corner of the packet, where the little arrow is, with instructions in both Aramaic and Greek.'"

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

"Corpus Christi, you make gooood cookies."

[zenicurean.livejournal.com]

I think there should be a jingle and a TV ad... and possibly a tie-in product, something like Kellogg's™ Rice Christies ®.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Yes, there is an advantage there for bringing Communion to folks. In the context of a shared ritual though, where the symbolism is all about everyone sharing one essential thing, I think this kind of individually packaged product runs counter to the symbolic intent.

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

It's admitting defeat in that transubstantiation is not, in fact, a miracle, and the bread and wine do not literally become the flesh and blood of Christ after the priest performs his incantation.

[zenicurean.livejournal.com]

I don't know which denomination these guys are, but I rather suspect they don't believe in transubstantiation to begin with. (Though I certainly wouldn't put some form of Real Presence doctrine past them. This feels like a Protestant get-up of some variety to me.)

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

Fair point. And yet, "Take this, peel off the top, and eat of it, for this is my body" doesn't quite roll off the tongue.

[zenicurean.livejournal.com]

Very true. (And apropos of nothing, I love your icon.)

[catlin.livejournal.com]

My baptist church did something along these lines at easter, back in the 80s. The justification was to cut down on shared illnesses.