Final answer:
The Eucharist is a Christian rite remembering Christ's Last Supper, where Catholics believe in literal transformation and Protestants see it as symbolic. The Eucharist brings grace, strengthened union with Christ and the church, and spiritual sustenance to believers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Saving Actions in the Eucharist
The Eucharist represents the saving actions of Jesus Christ during the Last Supper, as indicated in the scripture from Matthew 26. Christ blessed the bread and wine, designating them as his body and blood. This act is remembered and reenacted in the Christian practice of the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion or The Lord's Supper. Catholics and Eastern Orthodox churches teach that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine undergo transubstantiation, becoming the actual body and blood of Christ. In contrast, Protestant denominations often view the Eucharist as a symbolic act that memorializes Jesus’ sacrifice.
Effects of the Eucharist on Believers
For those who receive it, the Eucharist is believed to confer grace, strengthen the individual's union with Christ and the church, and offer a taste of the eternal life to come. It is also seen as a source of spiritual nourishment, sustaining believers in their Christian faith.