Eucharist Source and summit of the Christian life

Eucharist “Source and summit of the Christian life” -Lumen Gentium

How long have we been celebrating the Eucharist? • Last Supper • Road to Emmaus: • Jesus interpreted the Scriptures to them. “Were not our hearts burning within us? ” • “Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. ” • Luke 24: 35 • “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. ” • Acts 2: 42

St. Justin Martyr c. 100 -165 AD • An apologist… – No he’s not saying sorry all the time. • Justin was writing to the Roman Emperor to clarify the teachings of the Christians and to urge him to help stop the persecutions of Christians. . • In his writing he describes the activities of Christians, he describes the Mass…

Liturgical Celebration St. Justin Martyr (155 AD) Today • On the day we call the day of the sun, • Sunday • all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place. • The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits. • When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things. • Church – Justin also called Sundays “little Easters” • Readings • Homily

Liturgical Celebration St. Justin Martyr (155 AD) • Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves…and for all others, wherever they may be… • When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss. Today • Prayers of the Faithful • Sign of Peace

Eucharistic Celebration St. Justin Martyr (155 AD) • Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren. • He then takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks that we have been judged worthy of these gifts. Today • Offertory • Eucharistic Prayer

Eucharistic Celebration St. Justin Martyr (155 AD) Today • When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying, “Amen. ” • When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the “eucharisted” bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent. • Great Amen • Communion and Communion to the Sick

Matthew Kelly • As you listen to this, keep in mind that Eucharist comes from a Greek word meaning thanksgiving/to give thanks.

John 3: 16 • What is the Mystery Flu? • What part of our body does it affect? – Our hearts which are made of flesh and blood. • Who brought the cure? • What is the cure? – Jesus’ flesh and blood. • What did it take for the cure to be effective? – Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection • How is it effective today? – The Eucharist

Problem with the Mass? • Is Mass boring in and of itself? • If you feel bored, does that take away from its significance? – Is the Mass ever unimportant? • If Mass is boring, should it be changed or should our approach to it change?

• Top 10 excuses made for not going to Mass • Top 10 good reasons for going to Mass (not my parents made me…) • Top 10 ways we can live Mass during the rest of the week

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

What does Jesus say about this Sacrament? • I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6: 35) • I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. (John 6: 51)

What does Jesus say about this Sacrament? • Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. (John 6: 54 -56) • As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. (John 6: 66)

The Last Supper • While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body. ” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. ” • Matthew 26: 26 -28 • Transubstantiation

Questions • Do you want to have a richer experience of the Mass? • Will we seek to understand the deeper truth behind the Eucharist, ignore it, or turn away from it?

Thoughts on Eucharist • Be what you see, and receive what you are. -St. Augustine • The Eucharist and the Cross are stumbling blocks. (CCC 1336) – “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it? ” (John 6: 60)

“Do this in memory of me…” • What type of remembering is this? – One that makes present again the saving action of Christ in our lives today. (Real Presence) • What do we remember? – The Paschal Mystery (Life, death, and Resurrection)

In your book… • P. 232: Share Justin’s description of the mass in 155 AD with a family member and write the following. 1. Who did you share it with? 2. What was their reaction? 3. Their signature.