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The first post of this series "Understanding the Mass and Its Parts" discussed some of the actions and meanings of the Mass ( HERE)
I also stated that the Mass has two tables by which the Lord nourishes us: the Table of the Word (corresponding to the Liturgy of the Word) and the Table of the Eucharist (corresponding to the Liturgy of the Eucharist). ( HERE)
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which regulates the worthy celebration of the Mass, states:
"The Mass consists in some sense of two parts, namely the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, these being so closely interconnected that they form but one single act of worship. For in the Mass is spread the table both of God’s Word and of the Body of Christ, and from it the faithful are to be instructed and refreshed. There are also certain rites that open and conclude the celebration." (GIRM#28)
It may be a bit confusing to speak of the Liturgy of the Eucharist because we can also call the entire Mass the Eucharist. Just note that when the Church uses the specific phrase "Liturgy of the Eucharist" she means the second major part of the Mass.
We have just finished the teaching on the Liturgy of the Word. It was pointed out that Christ speaks to us in the Liturgy of the Word (through the proclamation of the Scripture Readings and Gospel and through the Homily). Though there are certain nonverbal actions which accompany the Liturgy of the Word (such as the gesture and actions which accompany the proclamation of the Gospel: See HERE), mostly Christ is speaking to us in audible words which involve the ear which hears.
In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Christ is also communicating with us, in words, but also in visible signs and actions. Here the eyes and other senses are involved, including the sense of touch, taste and sometimes smell.
Before examining the various parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, I want to give an overview of what happens in this part of the Mass. The Catechism conveniently sums it up for us:
"We must therefore consider the Eucharist as:
- the sacrificial memorial of Christ and his Body;
- the presence of Christ by the power of his word and of his Spirit." (#1358)
The Catechism is actually noting 4 realities here: the Liturgy of the Eucharist is (1) thanksgiving and praise to the Father; (2) the sacrifice of Christ and (3) the memorial of Christ; and (4) the Presence of Christ (under the signs of the Consecrated Bread and Wine).
Eucharistic Prayer III of the Roman Missal also refers to these four active realities; after the Consecration of the Bread and Wine whereby Christ is Really Present, the Priest prays:
"Therefore, O Lord,
as we celebrate the memorialof the saving Passion of your Son,
his wondrous Resurrection
and Ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving
this holy and living sacrifice."
What we give thanks for are all the gifts of God to us: the gift of God’s love, the gift of Christ and the Holy Spirit living within us, the gift of our Faith, spiritual gifts, the gift of our life, the gifts of human relationships, the gift of creation, the gifts of our talents, the gift of our material resources, etc.
We give thanks in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the very name of "Eucharist" means "thanksgiving" in Greek, the original language of the Mass.
The memorial which is made requires a careful understanding. In establishing the Eucharist at the Last Supper Jesus says "Do this in memory of me." The word translated "memory" which Jesus uses is in the Greek the word "anamnesis." As one source writes:
"This Greek word is practically untranslatable in English. ‘Memorial,’ ‘commemoration,’ ‘remembrance’ all suggest a recollection of the past, whereas anamnesis means making present an object or person from the past. Sometimes the term 'reactualization' has been used to indicate the force of anamnesis." (The New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship, p. 45)
More will be said about this when we come to the Eucharistic Prayer in the Mass; however, suffice it to say that the memorial of the Mass refers to re-presenting the saving actions of Jesus in the Liturgy. There is also a sense where God is asked to remember his People as his people are asked to remember him in the present as God has acted in the past and for the future.
The Sacrifice of the Mass is naturally part of this memorial presentation of the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. His sacrifice is his sacrificial love offered for us on the Cross and made everlasting in his Resurrection. By the action of the Holy Spirit, we join our lives to Christ’s One Sacrifice so that we may live in his sacrificial love.
In the Liturgy of the Eucharist all this—the thanksgiving, the memorial sacrifice, the Real Presence–is made present by the ordained Priest or Bishop in their ministry through the Word of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. But all the Baptized also make offering united to this objective sacrifice of the Mass. As the Priest invites the Assembly at the Offertory "Pray, my brothers and sisters , that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to the Lord our God."
Next Week: The Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Incarnation
