No, the Jews ate at a table, with a cloth, candles plates and cups upon it.  That is what the table looked like at the Last Supper and that is what our altars look like today.  The cross was used by the Romans to execute criminals.  The cross was not used by the Jews to even slaughter animals for sacrifice.  

There were no priests celebrating the liturgy for at least 2 centuries.  The MEAL was celebrated in house churches, by presiders---men, women or husband-wife teams.  THAT was how the Eucharist was first  celebrated.  Why?  Because to be a Christian is to be priestly.  To be priestly is to somehow mediate the things of God to the world and to bring the hopes and fears of the world before God in worship and prayer.

The reason why YOU are having difficulties with this is because YOU really don't understand the documents of Vatican II and what it means in TODAY'S world.