213 THE LITURGY OF THE WORD AND THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

YOUCAT Lesson 213

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

213  What elements are essential to a Holy Mass?

Every Holy Mass (celebration of the Eucharist) unfolds in two main parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  [1346-1347]

Paintings: ….. From the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John: “Stories of the Life and Passion of Christ,” illustrated in the  Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Varallo Sesia, Italy by Gaudenzio Ferrari. …..213

In the Liturgy of the Word, we hear readings from the Old and New Testament and also the Gospel.  Besides that there is an opportunity for preaching and general intercessory prayers.  In the subsequent Liturgy of the Eucharist, bread and wine are offered, consecrated, and distributed to the faithful at Communion.

THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST

The Mass of all ages

(Paragraph 1345 is an astounding report revealing that the Catholic Mass we participate in today follows the Eucharistic Celebration of the earliest Christians 1860 +/- years ago. St. Justin Martyr’s report to the emperor was written about 122 years after Jesus’ Last Supper with the Apostles.  Read it carefully. –Don L. Bragg)

…….1345   As early as the second century we have the witness of St. Justin Martyr for the basic lines of the order of the Eucharistic celebration. They have stayed the same until our own day for all the great liturgical families. St. Justin wrote to the pagan emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161) around the year 155, explaining what Christians did:

“On the day we call the day of the sun, 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.

“Then we all rise together and offer prayers* for ourselves . . .and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

“When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.

“Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

“He 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 (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

“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.”(St. Justin, Apol. 1, 65-67:PG 6,428-429; the text before the asterisk (*) is from chap. 67)¹⁷¹ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1346   The liturgy of the Eucharist unfolds according to a fundamental structure which has been preserved throughout the centuries down to our own day. It displays two great parts that form a fundamental unity: 

- the gathering, the liturgy of the Word, with readings, homily and general intercessions; 

- the liturgy of the Eucharist, with the presentation of the bread and wine, the consecratory thanksgiving, and communion. --CCC

.......1347   Is this not the same movement as the Paschal meal of the risen Jesus with his disciples? Walking with them he explained the Scriptures to them; sitting with them at table "he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them."(compare Luke 24:13-35)¹⁷⁴ --CCC.

The liturgy of the Word and liturgy of the Eucharist together form "one single act of worship";( Sacrosanctum Concilium 56)¹⁷²   the Eucharistic table set for us is the table both of the Word of God and of the Body of the Lord.(compare Dei Verbum 21)¹⁷³ –CCC