The Mass: XII - Liturgy of the Eucharist - Communion Rite, Lords Prayer

Summary

The script reflects on the deep spiritual significance of the Eucharist and Communion in Christian worship. It explains how the church offers sacrifices and gifts of bread and wine, symbolizing much more than just physical offerings. Through the Holy Spirit, these gifts are transfigured into the Body and Blood of Christ, turning the sacrifice into a feast. The prayer of the Lord’s Prayer highlights humanity's dependence on God for both spiritual nourishment and the words to pray. The message emphasizes communion with God and with others, culminating in the hope of the Messianic banquet in the Kingdom of God.

Takeaways

• 😀 The church offers sacrifices to God, symbolized through gifts of bread and wine, which God transforms into the Body and Blood of Christ.
• 😀 The Eucharistic Prayer culminates in the Communion Rite, where the sacrifice becomes the feast, with the Body and Blood of Christ being consumed by the faithful.
• 😀 Jesus is referred to as the 'Lamb of God,' and the feast is a spiritual communion with God through His Son.
• 😀 The altar of sacrifice becomes a table of the feast, symbolizing the sharing of communion with God.
• 😀 The Lord’s Prayer is a central part of the Communion Rite, emphasizing that we have no words or gifts of our own, only those given by Jesus.
• 😀 Through the Lord’s Prayer, we acknowledge that only God can provide the feast and the words necessary for prayer.
• 😀 Praying 'Your Kingdom come' reflects a desire for the world to experience communion with God, despite its divisions and struggles.
• 😀 The phrase 'deliver us from evil' acknowledges the evil and threats that persist even during the celebration of the feast.
• 😀 The prayer for deliverance highlights our need for peace, salvation from sin, and a hope for the coming of our Savior.
• 😀 The Eucharistic Feast is a reminder of the Messianic banquet, the heavenly banquet that awaits at the end of time, known as the Banquet of the Lamb.

Q & A

What is the significance of the sacrifice offered by the church to God?

The church offers a sacrifice to God using the gifts of bread and wine, which are symbols of much more. These gifts are then transfigured by the power of the Holy Spirit into the Body and Blood of Christ.

How does the Eucharistic Prayer relate to the Communion Rite?

Once the Eucharistic Prayer is finished, the sacrifice becomes a feast. Instead of an animal sacrifice, we feast on the Body and Blood of Christ, symbolizing a deeper communion with God.

Why is Christ referred to as 'The Lamb of God' during the Communion?

Christ is called 'The Lamb of God' because He is the sacrifice offered to God. We partake in His Body and Blood, symbolizing the Lamb, which God has offered to us from all that He has given.

What is the significance of the altar transforming into a table of the feast?

The altar of sacrifice becomes the table of the feast, signifying that God now shares the feast with us. This act of sharing seals the bond of communion and reflects the intimate relationship between God and His people.

Why do we pray the Lord's Prayer during the Communion Rite?

The Lord's Prayer is prayed because it is the prayer that Jesus Himself gave us. It acknowledges that only God can provide the feast, the words for prayer, and the communion we share.

What does the phrase 'Your Kingdom come' mean in the context of the Eucharist?

'Your Kingdom come' is a prayer that asks for God's reign to manifest fully, allowing the communion we experience at the feast to extend to the whole world, even to those who are fractured and divided.

What does the prayer 'Deliver us, Lord, from every evil' signify?

This prayer acknowledges the existence of evil and the threats that surround the feast. It asks God to protect us from sin and distress and to provide peace as we await the coming of our Savior.

How does the Eucharist relate to the future Messianic banquet?

The Eucharist is a foretaste of the future Messianic banquet, the Banquet of the Lamb, which will occur at the end of time. It connects the present feast with the promised heavenly banquet.

Why do we focus on past, present, and future during the Communion Rite?

In the Communion Rite, we reflect on the past (Christ's sacrifice), the present (our participation in the feast), and the future (the hope of the Messianic banquet in heaven). This gives the Eucharist a broader, eternal significance.

What role does the Holy Spirit play in the transformation of the gifts during the Eucharist?

The Holy Spirit is invoked to transfigure the gifts of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. This transformation is central to the spiritual power of the Eucharist.