Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on Easter Sunday.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are fourteen (14) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist. The following is a reflection on article 1408.
Four (4) distinct components of the Holy Mass or eucharistic celebration are highlighted as being essential or necessary. Together these form or constitute one single and same act of authentic Christian worship.
The first essential part of Holy Mass is the proclamation of the Word of God. The proclamation of the Word of God includes the reading from Sacred Scripture. Daily readings during the Holy Mass include a passage from one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), a Psalm, and at least one reading either from the Old or New Testament. Holy Mass on Sundays and other great Solemnities and Feasts include one reading from both the Old and New Testament together with a Psalm and Gospel passage. It should be remembered that all of these various reading from Sacred Scripture refer our attention to Jesus Christ who is the Word made flesh and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (cf. Matthew 5:17; John 1:14).
The second essential part of Holy Mass is the thanksgiving to God the Father for all His good deeds, above all for the gift of His Son. The word “eucharist” comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving, eucharistesas. Thanks is given to God for creation, redemption, and His mysterious providence whereby the universe and history are governed. The Incarnation, when God became like us in all things is the apex of creation. The eternal Son made man in Christ Jesus was given us first through the Blessed Virgin Mary and continually is given to us in the Eucharist through Mother Church, through which we become adopted sons and daughters of God. The eucharistic prayer encapsulates all this.
The third essential part of Holy Mass the consecration of bread and wine. At the heart of the Eucharistic Prayer can be found the words of consecration spoken by the Bishop or Priest: “…This is My Body…” “…This is My Blood…” Without the consecration there is no transubstantiation, no Mass, no communion…
The fourth essential part of Holy Mass consists in participation in the liturgical banquet by reception of the Body and Blood of the Lord. There are varying degrees of participation which occur during the Holy Mass. Whoever comes with faith and devotion and reverence participates well. Those who come without faith or devotion or reverence participate poorly. Whoever listens attentively to the Word of God participates well. Those who do not attentively follow the readings and prayers participate poorly. Those who are free from mortal sin and have observed the eucharistic fast for at least an hour before Communion and receive the Lord in a state of grace participate well. Those who find themselves in whatever irregular situations (mortal sin…) participate well by abstaining from any sacrilegious reception of Holy Communion.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr