Catholic Gateway Course Ss. Mary & Joseph Church – Thursday, November 12, 2009 – Week 5

Welcome! This Week: The Catholic Mass… Revealed

The Mass is the pre-eminent act of worship of the Church as it re- presents the one, perfect sacrifice of Christ, inviting God’s people across space and time to partake of the merits of the Cross and Resurrection. A drama which unfolds in two acts… (see again Luke 24) The Liturgy of the Word The Liturgy of the Eucharist Liturgy means “public work” or “work for the people”, referring to Christ’s redeeming work. Historically established in 1 Corinthians 11 as “tradition”, narrative given in synoptic Gospels, commentary in the Gospel of John, chapter 6.

Early Christian Witness to the Mass Didache: Instructions on the Christian “way” ( c. 100AD) Chapter 9. The Eucharist. Now concerning the Eucharist, give thanks this way. First, concerning the cup: We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. And concerning the broken bread: We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which You made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let Thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom; for Thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever. But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, unless they have been baptized into the name of the Lord; for concerning this also the Lord has said, "Give not that which is holy to the dogs."

Early Christian Witness to the Mass Justin Martyr ( c. 100AD) On the Sunday Assembly On the day called after the sun [Sunday] there is a meeting for which all those dwelling in the cities or in the countryside come together. The records of the Apostles or the writings of the prophets are read as long as time allows. When the reader has stopped, the one who is presiding admonishes and encourages us by a sermon to the imitation of those good examples.

Early Christian Witness to the Mass …Then we all stand up together and lift up our prayers and, as I said previously, when we have finished our prayer, bread is brought forth and wine and water. The one who is presiding offers up prayers and thanksgiving according to his ability and the people acclaim their assent with ``Amen.'' There is the distribution of and participation on the part of each one in the gifts for which thanks has been offered, and they are sent to those who are not present through the deacons. We all come together on the day of the sun since it is the first day, on which God changed darkness and matter and made the world. On that day, Jesus Christ our Savior arose from the dead. They crucified him on the day preceding that of Saturn, and on the day of the sun he appeared to his Apostles and disciples and taught them these things which we have presented also to you for inspection.

The Catholic Mass… Revealed Catholics attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation under “precept”… a ‘serious matter’. Mass is celebrated every day of the year except Good Friday. “Mass” comes from the Latin “Missa” which is a play on words: Ite, missa est. Go, you are sent forth. Go, the Mass is ended. “Understanding the Mass” Sunday, November 22 at 4pm

Next Week: Prayer and Spirituality