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I.INTRODUCTIONTOTHEEUCHARIST(CCC1322-1419)

“We have come here to meet with the Heart of Jesus, pierced for us. Here we find the open fountain from which flow rivers of living water; here

we find love and redeeming power.” (JPII, June 1, 1980)

“It is necessary for the salvation of society to propagate the Eucharistic Reign of Christ. The Eucharist is the life of the individual and of all nations. We know well that an era of history prospers or denigrates itself in accordance to its devotion to the Holy Eucharist. It is the life and the fountain of its faith, its charity and its holiness. The Eucharist is essential for our personal lives and for the life of society because it is the

very life of the world.” (Saint Peter Julian Eymard)

A.TheSourceandSummit

• TheEucharististhe“sourceandsummit”oftheChristianlife.o Source–everythingwehavecomefromtheEucharistbecauseitisChristhimself.Itisthesourceof

grace.o Summit–itisthe“summit”orthemountaintopofallthatweseek,sinceitisChristhimself.Thereis

nothinggreatertoreachoranythinghighertoclimb.o TheEucharistisuniqueinthatitdoesnotsimplygivegrace,butitisJesusHimself.

• Alltheothersacraments,ministries,andworksareboundupwiththeEucharistandorientedtowardit.(CCC1325)

o AllotherSacramentsleadtotheEucharist.o AllworksoftheChurchleadtotheEucharist.

• IntheMass(thecelebrationoftheEucharist)andEucharisticAdorationweareunitedwithheaven.• "IfsoulsbutunderstoodtheTreasuretheypossessintheDivineEucharist,itwouldbenecessarytoencirclethe

tabernacleswiththestrongestrampartsfor,inthedeliriumofadevouringandholyhunger,theywouldpressforwardthemselvestofeedontheBreadofAngels.TheChurcheswouldoverflowwithadorersconsumedwithlovefortheDivineprisonernolessbynightthanbyday."(Bl.DinaBelanger)

• "TrustallthingstoJesusintheBlessedSacramentandtoMaryHelpofChristiansandyouwillseewhatmiraclesare."-St.JohnBosco

B.SacramentofCommunionandPresence

• Godwantstobewithus….o HeisnotadistantGodthatlooksdownfromonhightothelittlecreaturesrunningaroundherebelow.

Helovesusandwantstobewithus,amongus.§ Hedidthisfirstbybecomingman,bylivingwithusasanotherhumanbeing.§ Butitdoesn’tendthere.HestayedwithushereintheEucharist.Heisalwaysfullyandtotally

presenthereonearth–Body,Blood,Soul,andDivinity.o Matthew28:20–“Behold,Iamwithyoualways,evenuntiltheendoftheage.”

§ TheseareJesus’lastpromisetous.§ HowdoesHefulfillit?IntheEucharist.

• "Thisisthewonderfultruth,mydearfriends:theWord,whichbecamefleshtwothousandyearsago,ispresenttodayintheEucharist.”(St.JohnPaulII)

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II.OLDTESTAMENTSCRIPTUREANDTHEEUCHARIST

A.Genesis22:1-18–AbrahamandIsaac

• AbrahamandthesacrificeofIsaac.

ParallelsbetweenAbraham/IsaacandFather/JesusABRAHAMANDISAAC GODTHEFATHERANDJESUS

Abrahamgoestosacrificehisonlyson,whomheloves

TheFathersacrificeshisfirstbornbelovedSon,whomheloves

GodasksAbrahamforatotalholocaustofhisson.

HolocaustofJesusiscompleteandtotal

Isaaccarriesthewoodonhisback Jesuscarriesthewoodofthecrossonhisback

IsaaccallsAbraham,‘myfather’ Jesus,intheGardenofGethsemanecallsJesus,“Father”

Isaacwillinglyofferedhimselfasasacrificeinobediencetohisfather.

JesuswillinglyofferedhimselfasasacrificeinobediencetohisFather

Isaacservesasapriest(onewhoofferssacrifice)andthevictim

Jesusservesasapriest(onewhoofferssacrifice)andthevictim

Isaacisbounduponthewood Jesusisnailed(bound)tothewoodThejourneyis3days–Thisisthe“passion”ofAbraham,knowingwhatistocome,thathewilllosehisson.

Jesusisdeadfor3days–the“passion”oftheFather,inwhichHe“loses”hisSon.

v.5–Itisanactofworship Christ’ssacrificeisanactofworshipofGodtheFather.

Godprovidedalambfortheholocaust.Abrahamnamestheplace“Godwillprovide”(v.14)

GodprovidedaLamb(Jesus)fortheholocaust

Theram’sheadwascaughtinthethornbush JesusworeacrownofthornsonhisheadAlambwasslain TheLambofGodwasslainIsaaclaidontopofthewood JesuslaidontopofthewoodoftheCrossAbrahamdidnotwithholdhisson GoddidnotwithholdhisSonThistookplaceontheMt.Moriah;thisbecomesthesightofthefutureTempleinJerusalem(2Chron3:1-2)

CalvaryinJerusalem(whereJesuswascrucified)isonMt.Moriah.

ThroughthedescendantsofAbraham,alloftheworldwillbeblessed.

ThroughJesus,allthefamiliesoftheworldareblessed.

• WhywouldGoddothis?WhywouldGoddemandthistypeofsacrificefromAbraham?Itisscandalousrequest

ofGod.ItseemsthatGodisplayingwithAbraham.§ HeisputtingAbraham’sfaithtothetest,givingupthethinghelovesthemosttoGod.

• Thisexplanationisnotenough.

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§ Thisisapre-enactmentofCalvary.ThisiswhatGodtheFatherwasgoingtodowithJesus.HeneededamaninAbrahamwithsuchgreatfaithtopre-enactwhatwouldonedayactuallyhappenwithJesus.

B.Exodus12:1-14,21-24,29-30–ThePassover

ParallelsbetweenthePassoverandtheLastSupper/CrucifixionTHEPASSOVER LASTSUPPER/CRUCIFIXION

TheangelofdeathslaysallthefirstborninEgyptexceptthosecoveredbythebloodoftheLamb.

TheangelofDeath(Satan)seekstokillus,whoareGod’schildren,unlesswearecoveredbythesavingBloodofChrist.

TheBloodoftheLambsaves ThebloodofJesussavesusLambhadtobewithoutblemish Jesuswaswithoutblemish(sin)A1year-oldmaleinprimeoflife Jesus:33yearsoldistheprimeoflife

Keptuntilthefourteenthdayofthemonth(Passover)

JesuswaskilledonthefeastofPassover.ThePassoverlambswerekilledatthesametimeasthecrucifixion.(Luke22:7-13)

Bloodisputonthedoorpostsandlintelsofthedoorofthehome(shapeofcross).Aswell,thisservesasapublicwitnessofbeingaJew.

BloodofChristonthewoodofthecrosssavesourhome(ofourbody).WearecalledtopublicallymakesignofcrossasawitnesstoourChristianfaith.

Killedintheevening Killedintheevening(3pm)Lambcouldhavenobonesbroken Theydidnotbreakhisbones(John19:31-

36)Lambmustbekilledandtheflesheatenwithbread

Jesuswassacrificedandfleshiseatenintheformofbread

Feasthadtobecelebratedperpetuallyeveryyear

FeastcontinuestodaythroughtheMass

WerememberbecauseofwhattheLorddidfor‘me’onthisday.EveryJewishparticipantwastoseeandrememberwhattheLorddidpersonallyforthem.

WerememberwhattheLorddidpersonallyfor‘me’inthesacrificeoftheCross.

• WhatistheroleofthelambduringthePassover?(Ex12:1-13)

o Thebloodwasasign;whentheangeloftheLordcamethatnight,hewastopassoverthehomeswherehesawthebloodofthePassoverlamb.

o TheBloodofthePassoverlambwasasignofthetrueLambofGodyettocome,Jesus.o IfwehavebeenwashedwiththebloodoftheLambofGod,whotakesawaythesinsoftheworld,we

toowillbesafefromthedeathofthesoul.C.Isaiah52:13-53:12–the“SufferingServant”

• ThepersondescribedinthispassagefromIsaiahhasbeennamed“thesufferingservant.”Itdescribesapersonwhowouldtakeuponhimselfthesinsofmany,inordertoredeemhispeople.

o Hewillbringgoodtidings,peace,salvationo Hewillbeliftedup,despised,woundedforourtransgressions,anofferingforoursin,andwillbearour

iniquities.o HeisdescribedasaLamb(53:7)

• ThebookoftheprophetIsaiahhasoftenbeencalled“thefifthGospel”becauseofitsaccuratedescriptionsofJesus–inparticularhissufferings.However,itisimportanttonotethatthiswaswrittenhundredsofyearsbeforeJesuscametoearth.

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D.The“LambofGod”

• AfterthePassover,theLambbecameasymbolofonewhowasslaininordertosavethepeopleofIsrael.ThisconceptbeganalsowithAbrahamandIsaac,butwasdeepenedwiththePassoverevent.TheeventofPassoverwascelebratedeachyearastheJew’sprimaryliturgicalfeast,therebymakingtheconceptoftheLambevermoreimportant.

• Astimewenton,TheLambofGodbecameanimportantconceptfortheJews.Theycametounderstandthatoneday,therewouldbea‘trueLamb’thatwouldcometoredeemthepeopleofIsraelonceandforall.

• AfterthePassover,thisconcepttookondeepermeaningasevidencedinthepassageofIsaiahcalled“theSufferingServant”

• ThisconceptbeginstotakeshapefurtherintheNewTestamentwiththepreachingofJohntheBaptisto UponseeingJesusforthefirsttime,JohntheBaptistcallsJesusthe‘LambofGod.’

§ Inhisday,thistermwouldhavehadgreatsignificancetotheJewswhoknewtheOldTestament.

§ TheyknewtheLordwouldprovideaLamb.TheyknewthatthisLambwouldatoneforthesinsoftheworld.

o CCC608:“Afteragreeingtobaptizehimalongwiththesinners,JohntheBaptistlookedatJesusandpointedhimoutasthe‘LambofGod,whotakesawaythesinoftheworld’.Bydoingso,herevealsthatJesusisatthesametimethesufferingServantwhosilentlyallowshimselftobeledtotheslaughterandwhobearsthesinofthemultitudes,andalsothePaschalLamb,thesymbolofIsrael'sredemptionatthefirstPassover.Christ'swholelifeexpresseshismission:‘toserve,andtogivehislifeasaransomformany.’”

• Furthermore,weseethisconceptasJesusasthe“LambofGod”isbroughttocompletioninthebookofRevelation.InthebookofRevelation,theterm“LambofGod”isused28times(incomparisonto4timesintheGospels).

o Revelation5-Weseewearecalledtoworship,honor,andgiveglorytotheLambthathadbeenslain.o Revelation7–ThebloodoftheLambsaves.OnlytheLambcanopenthescrollwiththeseal.TheLamb

isonathrone.TheLambwillwipeawaythetearsofthemartyrsandleadthemtoeverlastinglife.o Revelation13–TheLambistobeworshipedandthenamesofthoseinheavenmuchbefoundwritten

inthebookoftheLamb.o TheentirebookofRevelationisaliturgysurroundingtheLambANDtheweddingfeastoftheLamb.o ThisiswhywesayinMass:

§ “LambofGod,whotakesawaythesinsoftheworld,havemercyonus.”§ “BlessedarethosewhoarecalledtothesupperoftheLamb.”

E.MannaandWaterintheDesert-Exodus16:1-35

• TheIsraelitesbegantocomplainofhungerinthedesertafterleavingEgypt.SoGodprovidedthemwithmiraculousfood:

o Manna(miraculousbreadfromheaven)–inthemorning§ Mannaisaplayontheword‘man-hu’whichmeans“whatisit?”§ Itwasamiraculousbreadthatcamefromheaven.Theydidnotknowwhatitwasorwhereit

camefrom.EvenMoses,whohadpreviouslylivedinthedesertfor40yearsdidnotknowwhatitwas.

§ ThisissimilartotheEucharist–itismiraculousbread,givenbyGod.Itisextraordinaryfromheaven,andweareunabletoidentifyit.

o Quail(meat)–intheeveningo TheBreadandfleshforeshadowtheEucharist

• Themannatastedlikewaferswithhoneyo Thissignified‘theLandofmilkandhoney’,whichiswhattheycalledthePromisedLand.o Thisdetailofittastinglikehoneysignifiedthatitwasaforetasteofthegoodnessthattheywouldhave

infullnesslater.ThisisthesamewiththeEucharist.Itisa‘taste’ofheaven,ourtruePromisedLand.ItsignifiesthefullnesswewillonedaypossessinHeaven.

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• ThemannawasbotheatenandplacedinajarbeforetheArkoftheCovenantwithintheinnersanctuary–themostholyplaceintheMeetingTent.

o Theywerenotonlytoeatthemanna,buttolookatit,asavisiblesignofGod’sprovision.o ThisisalsoaforeshadowingofEucharisticAdoration.WenotonlyeattheEucharist,butwealso

contemplateandlookattheNewManna.• Themannawasgivenfortheirsurvivalinthedesert.

o Theyweregivenonlyenoughforeachday.§ Infact,theywereonlyallowedtocollectoneday’sworthofmanna,theexceptionbeingonthe

daybeforetheSabbath,wheretheywereallowedtocollecttwoday’sworth.§ Iftheycollectedextra,itwouldrotaftertheday–exceptontheSabbath,whereitwouldlastfor

anextraday.o ThisshouldremindusoftheOurFatherinwhichwepray:“Giveusthisdayourdailybread.”

§ Godgivesusjustenoughgraceandsustenanceforeachday.Hetellsusnottoworryabouttomorrow–Hewillgiveusgracesfortomorrowwhentomorrowcomes.

§ FortheIsraelitesandus,thisisanexerciseoftrust.They(andwe)hadtobelieveandtrustthatGodwouldinfactprovideforthemeachday.TheyhadtobelieveHewasafaithfulandlovingFather.Thisdaily‘test’wastohelprestoretheirfaithinGodasaFatherwholovesandprovideforhischildren.

• Itsustainedthemfortheentire40yearsthattheyweretravelingtothePromisedLand.o WhentheIsraelitesenteredthePromisedLand,themannaceased.Theywereoutofthedesertand

nowabletoeatfromthefruitsoftheLand.o ThePromisedLandrepresentsHeaven,andtheyearsinthedesertrepresenttheyearsofpilgrimageon

earth.Duringthistimeofpilgrimagethroughthedifficultdesertofourtimeonearth,theLordalsosustainsuswiththetruemannaoftheEucharist.

F.SummaryofOldTestamentSacrifices

• ThesacrificesofferedintheOldTestamentweremanyandvariedbutallhad4distinctivecharacteristicsaboutthem.WeseethatChristbringsalltheOldTestamentsacrificestofulfillment.

o Thesacrificeisofferedbyapriest.§ ChristhimselfistheeternalHighPriestthatoffersthesacrifice.

o Thevictimisanunblemishedmale.§ ChrististhevictimoftheEucharisticsacrifice.Heisunblemishedfromthestainofsin.

o Itisofferedfortheremissionofsin.§ ChristtrulyandforeverearnedtheforgivenessofoursinonCalvary.Weparticipateinthis

sacrificeateveryMass.o Thesacrificeisdestroyedinsomemanner

§ Thissignifiedthatthesacrificeisnotforourownuse,butforGod’s.OnCalvary,Christwas‘destroyed’–bothinthebrokennessofhisbodyandthroughhisdeath.

§ Wealsoseethatinordertomakethebreadandwine,thewheatandgrapesmustbegroundorcrushed(death).However,itisonlyinthis‘death’thatnewlifecomesforth.

• Afterthevictimofthesacrificewasusuallykilledandthenburneduponthealtar.Afterthis,itwasusuallyconsumedbythepriest.Thisconsumingofthesacrificeunitedthepriesttothesacrifice.

o Today,wealsoconsumethevictim–Christ–afterhehasbeensacrificedonthealtarduringMass.

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III.NEWTESTAMENTSCRIPTUREANDTHEEUCHARIST

A.John6• IttakesplaceneartheeventofPassover(v.4)• Itbeginswiththemiracleofthemultiplicationoftheloaves(v.1-15)

o Jesusprovidesthemmiraculouslywithtemporalgoods.Therefore,theywanttomakeHimking.o However,hedoesnotwanttobetheirkingbecauseHeprovidestemporalgoods;Hewantstobetheir

Kingwhogiveseternalgoods.o Therefore,Heleaves.

• The“BreadofLifeDiscourse”–(v.22-71)o InthethispassageofJohn6,JesusprogressivelyrevealsthatHeisthe“BreadofLife”–abreadthat

giveseternallife,abreadthatdoesnotpassaway.Healsorevealsthatthis‘bread’ishisflesh–which,notsurprisingly,scandalizeshisfollowers–somuchsothatmanydecidetostopfollowinghim,eventhoughthedaybeforetheywerereadytomakehimking.

o The3primary‘complaints’orprotestsoftheJewsduringtheBreadofLifeDiscourse.Eachofthese‘complaints’parallelsacomplaintmadeabouttheEuchariststilltoday.

§ Jesusis‘tooordinary’(v.41-42)• Theyknowwherehecomesfrom:TheyknowheisthesonofJoseph,theyknowhis

parents.Heisjustamanlikethem,yetheclaimstobethe‘breadthatcamedownfromheaven.’Buthelookslikeamanandseemstobejustanordinaryman.Howcanthisordinarymanmakesuchanextraordinaryclaim?

• Eucharisticparallel:TheEucharististoo‘ordinary’tobewhatitclaimstobe.‘Weknowwhereitcomesfrom”:itisjustbreadandwine.Weknowwhomadeit,wewatcheditgetmade.Itsmellslikebread,tasteslikebread,lookslikebread.Howcanwemakesuchanextraordinaryclaimaboutseeminglyordinarybread?

• Jesus’response:Hedoesnotgobackonwhathesays.Nordoeshecorrectapotentialmisunderstandingontheirpart.Hestickstowhathesaysandtellsthem,“Stopmurmuring.”AndthenherepeatshimselfagainANDtakesittoanewlevel:the‘bread’ishisflesh.

§ “Howcanthismangiveushisfleshtoeat?”(v.52)• Thisclaimdoesnotneedtoomuchexplanation–itspeaksforitself.TheJewswere

scandalizedthatJesuswouldnowclaimthatthe“bread”heisofferingisinfacthisflesh.• Eucharisticparallel:Stilltoday,peoplesaythesamethingabouttheEucharist:howcan

weclaimthatitisthefleshofJesusChrist?Itisabold,radical,andextraordinaryclaim.ButonethatwecanbelieveinbecauseoftheOnewhomakesit.

• Jesus’response:TheJewsunderstoodwhatJesussaid.IfJesuswasspeakingfiguratively,thiswouldhavebeenthemomenttocorrecthimselfandexplain.However,Jesusdoesjusttheopposite:herepeatshimself6moretimesindifferentwaystoindicatethatisexactlywhatHemeanttosay.Andhisrepetitionsuseprogressivelystrongerandclearerlanguagetomakehispoint.Furthermore,Healsobeginstouseastrongerwordfor‘eat’:onethatmeans“masticate”or“chewon”.TobeevenmoreclearthatHeisnotspeakingfiguratively,Heevenchangestheverbtomakehisdirectivemoreclear:youmusttrulyeatmyfleshanddrinkmyblood.

§ “Thisistoohard.Whocanacceptit?”(v.60)

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• Atthispoint,theJewsareoutofactualarguments.TheyknowwhatJesusissaying,andtheysimplyadmit‘itistoodifficulttobelieve.’

• Eucharisticparallel:JustasinthetimeofJesus,manypeopletodaysimplysaythatthisteachingistoohardtoaccept.Itrequirestoomuchfaithanddoesnotseempossibleorreasonable.

• Jesus’response:Again,Jesusdoesnotgobackonhisteaching,changeitormakeiteasierforthem.Hedoessaythatthe‘flesh’(humanthinking)cannotunderstanditonitsown.Weneedthe‘spiritthatgiveslife’toacceptandunderstandhisteachinghere.

o TheendresultoftheBreadofLifeDiscourse–ManypeopleleaveandstopfollowingJesus.(John6:66)

§ UponhearingJesus,manypeopleleaveandstopfollowingJesus.Itisimportanttonotethatthepeoplewhoheardthisandthenleftwerenothisenemiesorskeptics.Theywerehisdisciplesthatwerereadytomakehimkingjustonedaybefore.Aswell,theyweresotakenwithhim,thattheyfollowedhimacrosstheseatofindhim.Andyet,whenhegivesthisteachingtheyleave.

§ Eucharisticparallel:Itisstilltodayadifficultteachingtograsp–especiallyifwedonotfullyunderstandit.However,wearecalledtobelieveinthewordsofJesusbecauseweknowwhoHeis–God.Thisiswhywebelieve–evenifitdoesnotmakecompletesensetous.WecannotbelieveorfollowJesus‘onourownterms’–meaning,whenitiseasyorconvenientforus.Jesusisalwaysgoingto‘stretch’us,togetustomovebeyondourownlimitedunderstandingofwhoHeisandwhoweare.Wehavethechoicetoallowhimtodothisortocloseourhearts,therebylimitingwhatHecandoinandthroughus.

o TheApostlesresponsetoJesus’Teaching–Faith(Jn6:67-69)§ Afterthepeopleleave,JesusturnstotheApostlesandasksthemiftheytoowouldliketoleave.

Peterrespondsontheirbehalfwiththesegreatwordsoffaith:“Lordtowhomshallwego,foryouhavethewordsofeternallife.WehavecometobelievethatyouaretheholyoneofGod.”(Jn6:68-69)

• Hedidnotnecessarilyunderstandor“getit.”ButHebelievedthatJesuswastheChrist,andsohesimplytrustedinHimeventhoughhedidnotreallyunderstand.

• PeterandalltheApostlesmayhaveleftstillwondering,“Howishegoingtodothat?”and“Whatdidhemeanbyallthat?”Butregardless,theystillcontinuedtofollowJesus.Anditwasnotforatanotheryearthattheyunderstood–attheLastSupper.

§ Eucharisticparallel:WhenwebelieveJesussimplybecauseHeisGod,ourfaithisrewardedeventuallywithunderstanding.Butwemayhavetopassthroughatimewhenwedonotunderstand,wherewecontinuetofollowJesussimplybecauseweknowwhoHeis.

• SymbolismoftheBreadandtheFlesho TheBread:thenewManna

§ WhiletheywereinthedesertinEgypt,Godmiraculouslysustainedthemwithmanna,“breadfromheaven.”

§ Jesusclaimstogivethembreadthatisevenbetterthanthemiraculousmanna–abreadthattheywilleatand“liveforever.”(Jn6:32-35)

§ This“bread”sustainsusonourjourney/pilgrimagehereonearthonthewaytothePromisedLand–justlikeitdidforMosesandtheIsraelites.

§ "Asamanmustbebornbeforehecanbegintoleadhisphysicallife,sohemustbeborntoleadaDivineLife.ThatbirthoccursintheSacramentofBaptism.Tosurvive,hemustbenourishedbyDivineLife;thatisdoneintheSacramentoftheHolyEucharist."(Ven.FultonSheen)

o TheFlesh:thefleshoftheLamb§ HeisthenewPassoverLambthatsavesusfrometernaldeath,andcomestobringnewlife.§ JustlikeeatingthePassoverlambsavedtheIsraelitesfromdeath,sodoeseatingthenewLamb

saveusfromthedeathofhell.

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B.Mark14:22-24• TheLastSupper

o ThiswasacelebrationofthePassover–butinit,HeestablishesanewPassover.§ HebecomesthenewPassoverLambthatGodprovidesfortheirsalvation.

o Thiswaswhenhehadthem“eathisbodyanddrinkhisblood”§ Thisfinallyanswersthequestion,“HowwillHedoit?”

o WhenJesussaid,“Thisismybody,”JohnusestheGreekword‘tobe’whichhasaliteralmeaning,notasymbolicconnotation.

• Jesusputseverythingtogetheronthisnightandestablishesanewcovenantwithhispeople.o ReadLuke22:20

C.The“FourthCup”andtheNewPassover

• ThePassoverCelebrationinGeneralo TheLastSupperwasthecelebrationofthePassovermeal.o ThePassoverwasbrokenupinto4parts:

i. FirstBlessings–ThispartfocusedonthebitterslaveryinwhichtheywewereheldinEgypt.Theywouldeatbitterherbstoremindthemofthebitternessofwhichtheyhadbeenfreed.

ii. TherecountingofthePassoverstory–theeldestinthefamilywouldrecountthePassoverstory,andhowtheLordbroughtfreedomtohispeopleonthisnight.

a. Toendthissecondpart,theywouldsingthe“LittleHallel”(Psalm113)iii. ThePassoverMeal–duringthisparttheywouldeattheLamb,theunleavenedbread,andthe

3rdcupofwine(thecupofBlessing)a. ThiswouldhavebeenthebreadandwineoftheEucharist.b. Thispartconcludeswiththedrinkingofthe3rdcupofwine.

iv. Thesingingofthe“GreatHallel”–thispartistheclimaxofthePassovercelebration.a. Thispartisconcludedbydrinkingthe4thandfinalcupofwine–the“cupof

consummation”.Withthedrinkingofthiscup,thePassoverconcludes.o ThePassoverwasthelargestandmostimportantJewishfeast.

§ ThemostdevoutJewscametoJerusalemtocelebratethefeast.Jerusalemnormallyhadapopulationofabout100,000,buttheduringthePassoveritswelledto200,000-300,000.

o ThePassoverwasasymbolofafamilycovenantwithGod.§ WiththePassover,Godmadeacovenantwithhispeople,andtheIsraelitesbecamehisfamily,

hischildren.• TheLastSupper

o OnthenightoftheLastSupper,JesuschangesthePassoverritualwithhisApostles§ Thiswasamajordeal–itwasthemostimportantJewishfeast,andhadbeencelebratedinthe

samewayforthousandsofyears.Onecouldnotsimplychangeit.Yet,Jesusdoes.§ HechangedthePassoverin4significantways:

• TheWashingoftheFeeto DuringthePassoverritual,younormallywashedaperson’shands.o Thefeetwerethedirtiestandlowestpartofthebody,andthewashingofthe

feetwasusuallyreservedforthelowestofslaves.o Therefore,whatJesusdidwasunthinkableintheireyes.ThisiswhyPeter

objected.o Heestablishesanewcovenantofloveandservice:thisishowyouaretoserve

andloveoneanother.§ Atthismoment,healsoestablishedthepriesthoodandgavethemthe

modelofhowtheyweretoliveitout–throughhumbleandlovingservice.

• ConsecrationoftheBreado Hechangedthewordsofconsecrationoverthebread:“thisismybody”o Hechangedthecentralwordsatthecentralmoment.Thiswouldhavebeen

shockingfortheApostles.

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o Hetellsthemto“dothisinmemoryofme.”§ AtthePassover,theLordhadtoldthemtocelebrateitasa‘perpetual

institution’–inotherwords,‘forever.’§ WhenJesussays,“Dothisinmemoryofme,”heistellingthemthatthis

isthenewPassovertheyshouldcelebrateperpetually.o TheOldPassoverpassedaway,andthenewonebegan.

• BlessingoftheThirdCupo Jesussays,“Thisisthenewcovenantofmyblood.”o Withthesewords,hechangesthewordsofthePassovercelebrationanduses

theword‘covenant’–theONLYtimeintheNewTestamentthatJesususesthisword.

§ Covenantisthemostformalandbindinglanguage.Thismeansthatheisreplacingtheoldcovenant(OldTestament)withanewcovenant(NewTestament)

o TheBloodofJesusbecomesthenewcovenant–thenewfamilybond.WenowshareintheFleshandBloodofJesus.Itisnolongersimplyanadoptivefamilybond,butafleshandbloodrelation.

• Jesusdidn’tdrinkthe4thandFinalCupo ItwouldhavebeenunheardoftoleavethePassoverunfinished.Itislikenot

finishingtheMassatitsmostimportantpointandjustwalkingaway.o However,ontheeveningoftheLastSupper,theGospelofMarktellsusthat

‘whentheysungahymntheywentouttotheMountofOlives.’(Mk14:26)Thismeanstheyfinishedthe3rdcup,butnevergottothe4thandfinalone.Inotherwords,theyleftwithoutconcludingthePassovermeal.

o Infact,JesustoldthemthatHewouldnotdrinkwineagainuntilHedrinksitanewintheKingdomofGod.(Mk14:25)

o IntheGardenofGethsemane,Jesusspeaksofthe4thandfinalcup:§ “Father,letthiscuppassfromme,butnotmywillbutyoursbedone.”§ Aftertheycometoarresthim,andPetertriestostopthesoldiersby

cuttingoffoneoftheirears,Jesusaskhim,“ShallInotdrinkthecuptheFatherhasgivenme?”

§ Aswell,‘Gethsemane’means‘littlewinepress’o Aswewillsee,this‘skipping’ofthefinalcupispurposeful.Hewillnotdrinkthe

finalcupuntilthemomentbeforehediesonthecross.o Thesignificanceofthis–thePassoverisnotcompleteuntiltheLambdiesandis

sacrificed.JesusisthePassoverLamb,andHedoesnot‘end’thePassoveruntilhissacrificeiscomplete.

§ Onthecross,Hesays,“Ithirst”andtheygivehimaspongesoakedinsourwineonthebranchofahyssop.ThehyssopbranchwasthesamekindusedtosprinklethebloodofthePassoverLamb.

§ Afterdrinkingthiswine,hesays,“Itisfinished.”ThePassoverisnowcomplete.

• SummaryConclusion–PriestandVictimo Jesus,byallthis,showsthatHeisthetruePassoverLamb,whosavesusfromsin,death,andslavery.o Pilateorderedhiscrucifixionatthesixthhour,whichisthesamehourinwhichthePassoveroverlambs

werebesacrificedthroughoutthecityofJerusalem.ThisshowsJesuswasthesacrificialvictimofPassover.

o Aswell,theseamlessgarmentthatJesusworewasthesamewordfortheHighPriest’svestmentwhenhekilledthelambsforPassover.ThisshowsthatJesusisalsothepriestthatoffersthesacrifice.

o JesusisboththepriestandvictimoftheNewPassoverSacrifice.

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D.1Corinthians11:23-34–AccountoftheLastSupperbySt.Paul• ThispassageiswherewegetthewordsoftheConsecrationfromtheMass.• HecomparestheEucharisttothepagansacrifices,explainingthatwhenoneeatsthefoodofthepagan

sacrifices,oneisparticipatinginthesacrificeitself.Sotoowhenweeatthe‘food’oftheMass,weparticipateintheBodyandBloodoftheLord.

• Paulusesthewordremembrance:“Dothisinremembranceofme.”o InGreek,thiswordisnotsimplyarememberingaswethinkofittoday.o Itmeanstoactually“makepresent”bythatremembering.Bydoingitagain,itislikedoingthesame

thingastheoriginaltime.• St.PaultellsuswemustconfessoursinsbeforereceivingtheBodyandBloodoftheLord(v.28-30)

o Ifwedonot‘examineourselves’wereceivetheEucharistunworthily.o “OneveryLord’sDay,cometogetherandbreakbreadandgivethanks,firstconfessingyoursinssothat

yoursacrificemaybepure.Anyoneatvariancewithhisneighbormustnotjoinyou,untiltheyarereconciled,lestyoursacrificebedefiled.”(Didache14:1-4–FirstCenturyChristiantext)

• St.PaulalsotellsuswemustacknowledgethatittrulyistheBodyandBloodofChrist(v.29)o Theword‘discern’meansto‘perceivethedifferencebetweentwothings’.St.Paulissayingthatwe

mustdiscernorunderstandthedifferencebetweentheEucharistandnormalbreadandwine.Ifwedon’t–meaningweseetreatitonlyasbreadandwine-thenweeatanddrinkjudgmentonourselves.

o Thisisalsothereasonwhynon-CatholicsdonotreceivecommunionatMass.IfonedoesnotbelievethattheEucharistreallyistheBodyandBloodofJesus,thentheyaredoingmoreharmfortheirsoulthangood.

§ TheLordandhisChurchdesireeveryonetoreceiveHolyCommunion–butwiththepropermind,heartandbelief.

E.TheEucharistintheEarlyChurch

• DidtheearlyChurchbelievetheEucharistwasreallyJesus’BodyandBlood?Unequivocallytheydid.o “Becareful,therefore,totakepartonlytheoneEucharist;forthereisonlyonefleshofourLordJesus

Christandonecuptouniteuswithhisblood.”(St.IgnatiusofAntioch,107AD)o "Ihavenotasteforcorruptiblefoodnorforthepleasuresofthislife.IdesirethebreadofGod,whichis

thefleshofJesusChrist;…andfordrinkIdesirehisblood,whichisloveincorruptible"(St.IgnatiusofAntioch,LettertotheRomans7:3[A.D.110]).

o "TakenoteofthosewhoholdheterodoxopinionsonthegraceofJesusChristwhichhascometous,andseehowcontrarytheiropinionsaretothemindofGod....TheyabstainfromtheEucharistandfromprayerbecausetheydonotconfessthattheEucharististhefleshofourSaviorJesusChrist,fleshwhichsufferedforoursinsandwhichthatFather,inhisgoodness,raisedupagain.TheywhodenythegiftofGodareperishingintheirdisputes"(St.IgnatiusofAntioch,LettertotheSmyrnaeans6:2–7:1[A.D.110]).

o “Hedeclaresthatthecup,takenfromcreation,ishisownblood,bywhichhestrengthensourblood,andhehasfirmlyassuredusthatthebread,takenfromcreation,ishisownbody,bywhicharebodiesgrow…themixedcupandthebread…becomestheEucharist,thebodyandbloodofChrist.”(St.IrenaeusofLyons,secondcentury)

o "Donot,therefore,regardthebreadandwineassimplythat;fortheyare,accordingtotheMaster’sdeclaration,thebodyandbloodofChrist.Eventhoughthesensessuggesttoyoutheother,letfaithmakeyoufirm.Donotjudgeinthismatterbytaste,butbefullyassuredbythefaith,notdoubtingthatyouhavebeendeemedworthyofthebodyandbloodofChrist....(CatecheticalLectures22:6,9,St.CyrilofJerusalem,350AD)

o "Perhapsyoumaybesaying,‘Iseesomethingelse;howcanyouassuremethatIamreceivingthebodyofChrist?’…Christisinthatsacrament,becauseitisthebodyofChrist"(St.AmbroseofMilan,TheMysteries9:50,58[A.D.390]).

o "Whatyouseeisthebreadandthechalice;thatiswhatyourowneyesreporttoyou.ButwhatyourfaithobligesyoutoacceptisthatthebreadisthebodyofChristandthechaliceisthebloodofChrist.Thishasbeensaidverybriefly,whichmayperhapsbesufficientforfaith;yetfaithdoesnotdesireinstruction"(St.Augustine,Sermons,272[411AD]).

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IV.METAPHYSICSOFTHESACRAMENT

A.Transubstantiation• Theprefixtransmeans‘tochange’.Therefore,thewordtransubstantiationliterallymeans‘tochange

substance.’• AccidentsandSubstance

o Substance-athing’sactualidentity§ Theidentityofathingiswhatitis–regardlessofhowitlooksorappears.§ Intransubstantiation,thereisachangeoftheidentityofthe‘thing’:wegofrombreadandwine

totheBody,Blood,SoulandDivinityofChrist(hiswholePerson–divineandhuman).§ ThisisnotsymbolicorsimplyarepresentationofChrist,butChristhimself.

o Accident–apropertyofasubstance§ Forexample,theaccidentsofsnoware:green,volume,weight,cold,wet,soft,taste§ Forexample,theaccidentsofapencilare:blue,hard,thin,6incheslong,tubularshape§ Usually,whenthereisasubstantialchange(somethingchangesfromonesubstancetothe

other),theaccidentsalsochange.• Forexample:

o Theaccidentsofawoodenchair:hard,brown,shapeofachair,3feethigh,2feetwide

o Ifthewoodenchairisburned,thereisachangeinsubstance(itisnowash)alongwithachangeinaccidents:black,soft,lightinweight,smallinsize,bitterintaste,etc.

§ Themiracleintransubstantiation:thereisachangeinsubstancewithoutanaccompanyingchangeinaccidents.

• ThesubstancegoesfrombreadandwinetotheBody,Blood,SoulandDivinityofChrist.However,theaccidentsdonotchange:itstilllooks,tastes,andsmellslikebreadandwine.

• TotalChangeo Aftertransubstantiationtakesplace,thebreadandwinenolongerexist.

§ Everysinglepieceofbreadandwinedhavebeentransformed.o Christinhistotalityispresentonthealtar.o HeistotallyandfullypresentineachandeverypartandparticleoftheEucharist–evenifthepartsare

divided.o ItisaSacramentalPresence:inotherwordsitcomestousthroughthesignofbreadandwine.o ThePresenceofChristenduresaslongastheappearanceofbreadandwineremain.

B.Matter,FormandMinister

• Mattero Wheatbread

§ intheLatinChurch,itshouldbeunleavened.o Wine(mixedwithsmallamountofwater)

§ Thewinemustbefromgrapes.• Form:Thewords,“Thisismybody.”• Minister:Anordainedpriest.

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V.THESACRAMENTOFTHEBRIDEGROOMANDTHEBRIDE

A.Godwantsevenmore….

• Hedoesn’tjustwanttobewithus,HewantstouniteHimselftous,sothat“thetwowillbecomeoneflesh.”• Hewantstoliveinsideus,totallyunitedtous.Livingandbreathingwithinus.• HolyCommunionisthetruefulfillmentoftheScripturethatsays,“andthetwoshallbecomeoneflesh.”

o Itisthe‘SacramentoftheBridegroomandtheBride,inwhichtheBridegroom(Jesus)giveshiswholeBodyovertotheBride(us,theChurch),andtheBridereceivesHimbyofferingHimherbodyandheart.

o ThereisnomoreintimatemomentpossibletohavewithGod.B.TheChurchistheBrideofChrist

• Maryisalsothe‘SpouseoftheSpirit.”SheistheperfectrepresentationoftheBridethatistheChurch.• ReadEphesians5:25-32

o Eph5:25,31-32–“Husbands,loveyourwives,evenasChristlovedthechurchandhandedhimselfoverforher…‘Forthisreasonamanshallleave[his]fatherand[his]motherandbejoinedtohiswife,andthetwoshallbecomeoneflesh.’Thisisagreatmystery,butIspeakinreferencetoChristandthechurch.”

• IncallingtheChurchtheBrideofChrist,GodisrevealingthekindofloveHehasforeachoneofus–aspousallove.Helovesuspassionately,deeply.Heiswillingtogivehislifeforus.

• ThisimageoftheChurchastheBrideofChristhasexistedfromthebeginningandhascontinuedthroughoutsalvationhistory.

o Humanhistorybeginswithamarriage–thatofAdamandEve(Genesis1-3).o TheOldTestament–GodreferstohimselfasBridegroomandIsraelasBride

§ Isaiah62:4-5–“Butyoushallbecalled,‘MyDelight,’andyourland‘Espoused.’FortheLorddelightsinyou,andmakesyourlandhisspouse.Asayoungmanmarriesavirgin,yourBuildershallmarryyou;andabridegroomrejoicesinhisbridesoshallyourGodrejoiceinyou.”

§ Hosea2:16,18,21-22–“SoIwillallureher;Iwillleadherintothedesertandspeaktoherheart….Onthatday,saystheLord,sheshallcallme‘Myhusband’…Iwillespouseyoutomeforever:Iwillespouseyouinrightandinjustice,inloveandinmercy;Iwillespouseyouinfidelity,andyoushallknowtheLord.”

o FirstmiracleofChrist–theWeddingatCana§ Thecoupleranoutofwine.Justaswithsin,wetoo“ranoutofwine.”Byrejectingthe

Bridegroom,wefindourselvesemptyandinneed.§ ButJesuscamepreciselytorestorethelostrelationship,tohealthegreat“divorce”between

Godandman,betweenhusbandandwife.o ItendswiththemarriageoftheNewAdamandthenewEve(ChristandtheChurch)inthebookof

Revelation.§ “‘Revelation’istheusualEnglishrenderingoftheGreekapokalypsis;buttheGreekworkis

richerthanthat.Itismoreaccuratelytranslatedas‘unveiling’andwasusedbyGreek-speakingJewstodescribethemomentwhenthebridewasunveiledbeforeherhusband,justbeforethecoupleconsummatedtheirmarriage.So…wefindourselveswithJohnataweddingfeast.”(ScottHahn,Hail,HolyQueen,page49).

§ Revelation19:9-“BlessedarethosewhohavebeencalledtotheweddingfeastoftheLamb.”

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§ Revelation21:1-2,9–“ThenIsawanewheavensandanewearth.Theformerheavenandtheformerearthhaspassedaway,andtheseawasnomore.Ialsosawtheholycity,anewJerusalem,comingdownoutofheavenfromGod,preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband…Oneofthesevenangels…saidtome,‘Comehere.Iwillshowyouthebride,thewifeoftheLamb.’Hetookmeinspirittoagreat,highmountainandshowedmetheholycityJerusalemcomingdownoutofheavenfromGod.”

• “Bydescribinghimselfasa‘bridegroom,’JesusrevealstheessenceofGodandconfirmshisimmenseloveformankind.”(JPII,LettertoFamilies,18)

o JesusistheBridegroom,whocomestoearthtogivesusHimselfandHisdivinelife.HecomestogiveaGIFT.HeawaitstheresponseoftheBride.Hedoesnotimposeorforcehimself,butwaitsforustoFREELYaccepthisgift.

§ ThisiswhyMaryistheperfectionofallpeople–becausesheistheperfectBride,whogivesafiattotheLord,allowingHimtoenterherfullywithhispresence.

• TheBridegroom(Jesus)giveshisLifetotheBride.o HegivesitontheCross.o HegivesitintheEucharist.

• TheBride(theChurch)receivesthislife,guardingit,nurturingit,andhelpingittogrowandmature.C.TheChurchinheressenceisfeminine.

• ThoughtheChurchistheBodyofChrist,theChurchisfundamentallyfeminine.ThisiswhyMaryistheModelandImageoftheChurch.

o OurphysicalbodiesshowuswhythisistherealityoftheChurch.o Themalebodygivestheseedoflife–itcomesoutfromhim.

§ ThusheistheimageofGodtheFatherwhoistheGIVERofalllife.o Thefemalebodyreceivesthisseedfromtheman,andbringsitwithinher,nourishingtheseed,guarding

it,andhelpingittogrowandmature.§ ThuswomanistheimageoftheChurchwhoreceivesherlifefromGodtheFather(the

Bridegroom)andnourishesthislifeandallowsittogrowwithinher.• Theparableoftheseedandsower(Luke8:4-15)

o TheseedistheWord(Jesus)andwearethesoilthatreceivestheseed.o Whatkindofsoilarewe?

• “Allhumanbeings-bothwomenandmen-arecalledthroughtheChurch,tobethe‘Bride’ofChrist,theRedeemeroftheworld.Inthisway‘beingthebride’,andthusthe‘feminine’element,becomesasymbolofallthatis‘human’…IntheChurcheveryhumanbeing-maleandfemale-isthe‘Bride’,inthatheorsheacceptsthegiftoftheloveofChristtheRedeemer,andseekstorespondtoitwiththegiftofhisorherownperson.”(JPII,MulierisDignitatem25)

D.TheEucharististhe‘SacramentoftheBridegroomandtheBride’

• WecometoseethattheEucharististheconsummationofthetruemarriagebetweenChrist(theBridegroom)andtheChurch(theBride).

o Marriageonearth,betweenamanandwoman,isaforeshadowingoftherealmarriagethatwewillallhaveinheaven.

o ThisiswhyJesussaysthatmenandwomenwillnotbegiveninmarriageinheaven.• IntheEucharist,theBridegroom(Jesus)offershisBodytohisBride(eachoneofus).

o HecomesoutofHimself(masculine),andwereceivehim(feminine)intoourownperson.• IntheEucharist,the“twobecomeoneflesh”.

o Thisdescriptionofmarriage,giveninGenesisforthefirsttime,ismostfulfilledintheEucharist,wherewebecome‘oneflesh’withChrist,asweconsumeHimintheEucharist.

o “’Forthisreasonamanshallleave[his]fatherand[his]motherandbejoinedtohiswife,andthetwoshallbecomeoneflesh.’Thisisagreatmystery,butIspeakinreferencetoChristandthechurch.”(Eph5:31-32)

• Thisisoneofthereasonsthatonlymencanbepriests.

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o Theprieststands‘enpersonaChristi.’Thismeansthatthey‘standinthepersonofChrist.’TheyrepresentChrist,whoistheBridegroom,givinghisBodyforhisBride,theChurch.Therefore,onlyamalepriestcanfittinglyrepresenttheBridegroominapropermanner.

o Thisalsomakesitmoreunderstandablehowmanynon-CatholicChristianchurcheshavebegantoallowwomenministers–withouttheEucharist,theroleandidentityofthepriestlosesmuchofussymbolicsignificance;itbecomesananti-sign.ThepriestismeanttobeanotherChrist,offeringhimselfalsoasacrificeforhisBride,theChurch.ThisisdonemostfullyintheofferingoftheMassandtheEucharist.IftheMassandtheEucharistislost,thisfundamentalidentityofthepriestisalsolost,anditbecomeseasiertorationalizetheroleofministertoincludewomen.

E.TheEssenceofLoveisMutualSelf-Gift

• Beginningwiththe3PersonsoftheTrinity(whoisLove),wecometoseethat“Godhimselfisaneternalexchangeoflove,Father,SonandHolySpirit,andhehasdestinedustoshareinthatexchange.”(CCC221)

o Insimplisticterms,theFathergivesHimselftotallytotheSon,theSonreceivesthisself-gift,andrespondswiththetotalgiftofhimself.Theexchangeoflove/Personsbetweenthe2issopowerfulthatisbegetsanotherbeing–theHolySpirit.

o Love,then,isamutualself-gift.o Thismutualself-giftproduceslife(theHolySpirit)

• Thisisthemostfundamental‘pattern’oridentityofLove–amutualself-giftbetweenpersonsthatbegets(orproduces)life.

o ThisiswhywecansaythatLove,initsveryessence,isfruitful.• ThefirsthumanreflectionofthistruththatGodcreatedismarriage.

o Themanandwomangivethemselvestotheother–mutualself-gift–andthisproducesnewlife(achild).

o Marriageisthefirst‘image’oftheTrinity.• However,marriageitselfwasmeanttorevealadeeperreality–thespousallovethatGodhasforhumanity.

o HeisLove,andhegivesHimselfasagifttous.o Wereceivethegift,andofferourselvesagifttoHim.o Thismutualself-giftbetweenGodandmanproducesnewlife(spirituallyinoursouls).

• TheCrossandtheEucharistarethegreatestexamplesofLoveasmutualself-gift.o OntheCrossandintheEucharist,JesusoffershisBodyasagifttoeachoneofus.(Bridegroom)o We(theBride)receivethegiftandofferourselves(bodyandsoul)asagiftinreturn.

• Ittakes2o WeseethenthatwecannotsimplyreceivetheEucharistandthendonothing.Lovedemands(byits

nature)aresponse.o TheEucharistisnotsimplyaboutusreceivinggifts.Itisalsoaboutmakingourselvesagifttobegiven

backtoGod,inresponsetothegiftHehasgivenus(himself).o IfwedonotrespondtoGodwiththegiftofourself,thenthereisnoloveandnolife.Therelationshipis

sterile,unfruitful.o Anauthenticlovingrelationshiprequires2peoplethatchoosetolove,togivethemselvesawaytothe

other.§ Aone-sidedrelationshipinwhichonly1isgiving,andtheotherisonlyreceivingisnotareal

relationship.o Therefore,eachtimewereceivetheEucharist–todosohonestly,lovinglyandauthentically–wetoo

mustofferourlivesbacktoGodasalovingresponse.§ Otherwise,therelationshipissterile,cold,unlovingandunfruitful.Thereisnorelationship

becausethereisnomutualself-gift.

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VI.THELITURGY

A.Liturgy

• Thewordliturgyoriginallymeant“publicwork”ora“serviceinthenameof/onbehalfofthepeople.”• Nowwedefineliturgyas“theparticipationofthePeopleofGodinthe‘workofGod.’”(CCC1069)

o However,theremnantsoftheoriginaldefinitionstillremainwithinourcurrentdefinition:§ Itispublicandcommunalact–notaprivateonedonebyourselvesinourhomes.

o ItisGod’swork–notours§ CCC1073–“TheliturgyisalsoaparticipationinChrist’sownprayeraddressedtotheFatherin

theHolySpirit.”§ WeparticipateinwhatHeisalreadydoing.§ Wedonotinventit.

• Manypeoplewanttoinventtheirownliturgy,theirownChurchservices.Theywanttodoitthewaytheythinkitshouldbedone.

• TheywanttomakeGodintowhotheythinkHeshouldbe.• Thisiscompletelycontrarytoalltruth.WedonotchangeGodaccordingtoour

preferences.WemustallowGodtochangeusintohisimageandlikeness(likewearemadetobe).Wearemadeinhisimageandlikeness;Heisnotmadeinours.

§ Thesameistruewiththeliturgy–itishisworkthatweenterintoandinwhichweparticipate.WedonotinviteHimintosomethingwecreateourselves.

§ Godbreaksintoourworld,ourlives–notvisaversa§ Imagineinterruptingabasketballgameandchangingalltherulesandmakingpeopleplayit

yourway.B.ParticipationintheLiturgyofHeaven

• WeareparticipatingintheliturgyofHeaven.o CCC1090–“Intheearthlyliturgyweshareinaforetasteofthatheavenlyliturgywhichiscelebratedin

theHolyCityofJerusalemtowardwhichwejourneyaspilgrims,whereChristissittingattherighthandofGod,Ministerofthesanctuaryandofthetruetabernacle.”

o Thereisaperfectheavenlyliturgyconstantlygoingoninheaven.o Whenwedoliturgyonearth,weareparticipatinginwhatisgoingoninheaven.o CCC1139–“ItisinthiseternalliturgythattheSpiritandtheChurchenableustoparticipate

wheneverwecelebratethemysteryofsalvationinthesacraments.”• Throughtheliturgy,Christcontinuesourworkofredemption.

o Throughtheliturgy,wearemadeholy.o Itisthemosteffectivesourceoflifeforoursouls.Wecannothavedivinelifewithouttheliturgy.

• Itrequiresour“full,conscious,andactiveparticipation.”o “MotherChurchearnestlydesiresthatallthefaithfulshouldbeledtothatfullyconscious,andactive

participationinliturgicalcelebrationswhichisdemandedbytheverynatureoftheliturgy.SuchparticipationbytheChristianpeople…istheirrightanddutybyreasonoftheirbaptism.”(SacrosanctumConcilium,14)

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o Nothinghappenstousifwejust“showup.”Wehavetocome,readytoreceiveandparticipateinwhatisactuallytakingplace.

o Imagineifyouwenttoasportsgameandhadnoideaoftherulesorhowthegamewasplayed.Youwouldnotbeveryinterestedinthegame.

o Ifwearesupposedtogetwetfromtherain(thegracethatpoursonusinMass)andwegoinwithanumbrella,wewillnotgetwet.Itmightberaining,butitisnotgettinguswet,becausewehaveblockedthegrace.

§ WhenwedonotparticipateinMass,andwesimply“tuneout”,wearewastingthegracesthatarepouringuponus.

• Itisimportanttoknowwhatgoeson.ItisourresponsibilitytolearnwhatgoesontheMass,andintheliturgyingeneral.

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VII.THEMASS

A.TheCelebrationofMassintheEarlyChurch

• TheActsoftheApostles2:46,3:1o WereadthattheearliestChristianswenttotheSynagoguetohearthereadingsfromScripture(atthat

point,onlyreadingsfromtheOldTestament)onSaturdays.ThentheywouldgoonSundaystohomestocelebratetheBreakingoftheBread(Eucharist).

§ OnSundayswhentheywouldgather,undertheleadershipoftheApostles,theywouldtellstoriesofJesus(sincetherewasnoNewTestamentatthistime,onlyOralTradition).

o TheystillconsideredthemselvestobeJewsthatbelievedinJesusastheMessiah.o ThisestablishedthetwopartsoftheLiturgywestillusetoday:TheLiturgyoftheWordandtheLiturgy

oftheEucharist.• Soon,however,theChristianJewswereexpelledfromtheSynagoguesandtherewasaninfluxofGentile

Christians.Therefore,theyneededanewplacetoworship.Hence,thetwopartsoftheirliturgicalworshipwereunitedinonecelebrationonSundaymornings.

o Forthemostpart,thesefirstmeetingstookplaceintheprivatehomesofChristianswhoformed‘houseChurches’fortheearliestChristians.

o Notuntilthe4thcenturydidChurchesbegantobebuiltingreaternumbers.Upuntilthistime,ChristiansweresooftenpersecutedthatthebuildingofChurcheswasusuallynotpossiblebecauseofthethreatofdestruction.WiththelegalizationofChristianity,Churchesbegantobebuiltforplacesofworship.

• TheCelebrationoftheEucharistbySt.JustinMartyrin155AD.o Befamiliarwiththedetailsfromp.87whichexplainhowtheMasswascelebratedbytheearlyChurch.

B.ElementsoftheMass

• CCC1153-1162• Wordsandactions

o Words§ Wesayandexpresscertaintruthsthroughthewordsweuse.

• ReadingfromScripture.• Wordsofthepriest.• Wordsofthepeople.

§ Eachwordhasameaning.Whatwouldhappenifwebegantolistenmoretothem?o Ouractionsalsohavemeaning

§ WestandfortheGospelbecauseitismorethanimportantthantherest–itisanaccountofthelifeofJesusandthereforedeservesgreaterreverence.

§ WekneelduringtheconsecrationbecauseJesusiscomingdownfromheaven.§ ThepriestextendsoutwardhishandswhenprayingonbehalfoftheChurchtosymbolizethe

factthatherepresentsthewholeChurchinthatmoment.§ Thepriestextendshishandsdownwardandoverthebreadandwine,becausethisisasymbol

oftheHolySpiritcomingdown.• Thesamegestureof“layingonofhands”isusedinconfirmationandordinationstoHoly

OrdersasasymbolsoftheHolySpirit’sdescentonthatperson.

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• Singingo Musichasapoweroverthesoul.Itmovesusinawaythatwordscannot.o Wordsbecomemoreeffectivewhentheyareplacedtosong.

§ Wesingthepsalmsbecausetheywerewrittenassongsoriginally.o Weshouldsing!o “Singingisprayingtwice.”(St.Augustine)o Thesongsshouldcomefromscriptureorliturgicalsources.

• HolyImageso TheyhelptoraiseourmindstoGod,toremindusofHim,ofMary,oftheSaints,ofeventsfromtheir

lives.• Allthesethingscometogethertoprovideuswitharichliturgythathelpsourheartsandmindsenterintothe

mysterythatistakingplace.C.LiturgyoftheWord

• TheLiturgyoftheWordo ThisconsistsofthebeginningoftheMasstothegeneralintercessionso ThisfocusesontheWordofGodo TheLectionary(thatcontainsthereadings)andtheBookoftheGospelarevenerated.

§ Theyareprocesseddowntheaisle.§ Theyareputinaprominentplaceonthealtar.§ Theyareprocessedwithcandlesandincense.

o Theamboorlectern–theplacefromwhichwereadthereadingsandtheGospel§ Why?–theWordshouldbereadfromaproperanddistinguishedplace

o Itshouldbereadwithdignity,audibly,andintelligibly.o ThehomilyextendstheproclamationbyexplainingandspeakingabouttheWordthatwasproclaimed.

• PartsoftheLiturgyoftheWord(seep.88-89fordescriptionsandexplanations)o Entranceo VenerationoftheAltaro PenitentialRiteo Gloriao Collecto ScriptureReadings(1st,Psalm,2nd,Gospel)o Homilyo ProfessionofFaith(Creed)o GeneralIntercessions(Petitions)

• Butthenthefocusshiftsfromthelecterntothealtar….D.LiturgyoftheEucharist

• TheLiturgyoftheEucharisto ConsistsofthepartoftheMassbeginningfromtheoffertory(presentationofthebreadandwine)to

theconsecrationtocommunion.o Wenoticethatthefocusofwhereweactuallyareturnsfromthelectern,wheretheWordis

proclaimed,tothealtar,wheretheliturgyoftheEucharistwilltakeplace.o TheliturgyoftheWordismeanttoprepareusfortheLiturgyoftheEucharist.o TheConsecration–themomentthatthebreadandwinebecometheBodyandBloodofJesus.o Communion–whenwephysicallyreceivetheBodyandBloodoftheLordintoourperson.

§ ThemomentwhenLoveHimselfcomesintoourveryperson,tounitedHimselfwithus.o SeeCCC1348-1355

• PartsoftheLiturgyoftheEucharist(seep.90-91forexplanationsanddescriptions)o PresentationoftheOfferings(Offertory)o EucharisticPrayer:

§ Thanksgiving§ Acclamation(SanctusorHoly,Holy,Holy)

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§ Epiclesis§ InstitutionNarrativeandConsecration§ Anamnesis§ Offering§ Intercessions§ FinalDoxology

o CommunionRite:§ Lord’sPrayer(OurFather)§ RiteofPeace(SignofPeace)§ BreakingoftheBread§ AgnusDei(LambofGod)§ Communion

E.NamesfortheEucharist(seepage81-82inthetextbook)

• Eucharisto Comesfromwordeucharisteinwhichmeans‘givethanks’o Findsitsoriginsinthewordsoftheconsecration:“Whenhehadgiventhanks…”o St.IgnatiusofAntiochwasthefirsttousethistermin107AD.o Godgivesusthegreatestgift–Hisveryself.

§ Weoftendonotrecognizeitassuch,butthisisagreatandbeautifulmiracleoflove.o Theonlytrueresponsetoanunmeritedgiftisthanksgiving.

§ WhenwearetrulygratefulforthegiftofHimself,wedesiretoofferHimthegiftofourselvesinreturn.

§ Thisiswhathappensincommunion.HepresentsHimselfasLove,andweopenourheartsandbodiestoreceiveHim.

§ IfwearetrulygratefulandifwetrulyloveHim,wewillwanttoallowHimtochangeus,totransformus,tohealus.

• Lord’sSuppero BecauseofitsconnectiontotheLastSupper.o Alsoareferencetothe“WeddingFeastoftheLamb”thatistheheavenlybanquet.

§ Heavenwillbeaweddingbanquet,inwhichtheBridegroomisChrist,andtheBrideistheChurch.

§ ThisisanotherreasonwhySt.JohnPaulIIcallstheEucharist‘theSacramentoftheBridegroomandtheBride.”

• BreakingoftheBread(termfortheMass)o ThiswasthemostcommontermusedbytheEarlyChristiansafterPentecost.

• HolyCommuniono ItbringsusintocommunionwithChristandtheChurch,whichishisBody.

• HolyandDivineLiturgy(forMass)o MassisanactionoftheChurch

• HolyMasso ‘mass’comesfromtheLatinwordmittere,whichmeans‘tosendforth’.Thiscomesfromthelastwords

oftheMass,“Ite,missaest”,inwhichwearesentforth,transformedbytheEucharist,intotheworldtotransformit.

• BreadofAngels,BreadfromHeaven,MedicineofImmortalityo Withit,wereceivethespiritualgracesneedstoliveourChristianvocation.

• HolySacrificeorSacrificialMemorialo ItcompletesandbringstoperfectionthesacrificesoftheOldTestament.o EveryMassisaparticipationinthePascalMystery–thePassion,Death,andResurrectionofChrist.

§ ReadCCC1363o EverytimewecelebratetheEucharist,wegobacktoCalvary.o CCC1367–“ThesacrificeofChristandthesacrificeoftheEucharistareonesinglesacrifice:.."Andsince

inthisdivinesacrificewhichiscelebratedintheMass,thesameChristwhoofferedhimselfonceina

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bloodymanneronthealtarofthecrossiscontainedandisofferedinanunbloodymanner...thissacrificeistrulypropitiatory."

o Jesusisnotcrucifiedagain,butwearemysticallybroughttotheeventofthedeathandcrucifixionoftheJesus.

§ SinceHeiseternalandoutsideoftime,soishissacrifice.EachtimetheMassisoffered,themomentofCalvaryispresentonouraltar.

§ Whatdowedowhenwearethere?• Daydream?Remainindifferent?Notcare?Orallowourselvestoenterintotheevent?

o Thisisfullandactiveparticipation.§ Hehandshimselfoverforus,justasHedidattheLastSupperandthePassion.§ Hisbodyisbrokenonthealtar.

• Whenthepriestbreaksthebread.o WearealsopresentfortheResurrection.

§ WereceivetheresurrectedBodyofChrist–hislivingandgloriousBody.§ Hedesiresthatwe“rise”fromourwoundednessandfindnewlifeinHim.§ Hecomestoheal,restore,andbringhisjoyandpeace.

o WearealsopresentforPentecost§ Afterabout15minutes,theEucharisticBodyoftheLordceasestobeinus.

• ThisisliketheAscension.Heseemstoleaveus.§ However,HisphysicalpresenceisreplacedthepresenceoftheHolySpirit–justlikeat

Pentecost.