[Mithalwen]

I hesitate to bring this up because I don't want to trigger one of those arguments but I am going to mention the pachyderm I at least can see lurking in the corner trying despite its bulk to keep a low profile.

Yes it is the C word..... Catholicism. Not a direct correlation obviously but it seems to me that there is something sacramental about the lembas. It is the vehicle spiritual as well as physical benefits - a kind of grace. The mass is more central to Catholic observance than say the Anglicanism into which Tolkien was born,
I need to check references and try to be more coherenct when I have slept but I think this is a factor.