CHILDREN LOVE STORIES about their parents, especially what they were like and what they did when they were the same age. Even we adults are often interested in the lives of our grandparents and family tree. The rise in genealogy websites attests to this. Thankfully, as Catholic Christians, we belong to another family as well. Through our Baptism we become members of the Church and are privileged to address God as “Father,” “Abba” or “Daddy,” a relationship introduced to us by Jesus. He also invites us into another relationship, one of intimate and loving union with him through the Eucharist.
Many of us are familiar with the story of the Last Supper and the Institution of the Eucharist. “Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.’
And likewise, the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.’” (Lk. 22: 19-20)
Jesus, knowing His death was imminent and not wanting to part from His beloved apostles, chose this most intimate way to continue His union with them.
Transubstantiation is the word used to describe the change of the substance of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus, even though the externals remain the same. It was during this Last Supper/First Mass, that the apostles received their First Holy Communion and Jesus entered their souls in a way never previously experienced. When He told them to continue to do this in memory of Him, they were to continue to act “in persona Cristi” – the person of Christ. This means that it is Christ acting through the person of the priest.
Even though the Gospels record the essential details of the Last Supper, at times we might not be consciously aware that the Mass as we experience it was not always celebrated as today. It was not always in English, nor even Latin, but in Aramaic, the most common language spoken in Judea during the first century.
Celebration of the Mass in the vernacular, (in our case English), was one of the outcomes of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), as were the change in the altar’s position so the priest faces the congregation.
In the first centuries after the time of Christ, it was not even called the Mass, but rather referred to as the “Breaking of the Bread.” We are familiar with the two main parts of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and perhaps even invite non-Catholic relatives or friends to join us, but for many centuries only the baptized were permitted to attend the complete Mass. Those who were preparing for Baptism (Catechumens) were allowed to attend the Liturgy of the Word and then dismissed, leaving only those who were fully initiated to participate in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Since we have been given the tremendous gift and privilege of receiving Jesus into our heart and soul every Sunday or even daily if we wish, let’s remember that Jesus loves each of us personally and with an infinite love, and longs for us to accept His love and love Him in return.
FOR YOUR FAMILY:
■ The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, therefore attend Mass during the week as well as weekends.
■ Since we are still in the three year span of the National Eucharistic Revival (2022 – 2025), visit the website regularly and become involved as you can. (https://eucharisticrevival.org/)
■ Research the development of the celebration of the Mass over the past twenty centuries. (www.newadvent.org)