The Holy Mass, Explained by the Catechism

Summary

This video script delves into the spiritual significance of the Mass in Catholicism, drawing parallels between the liturgy and the vision of heaven as described in the Bible. It highlights the Mass as the fullest participation in divine life on earth, a foretaste of heavenly worship, and a unifying act that connects believers with the Church in heaven. The script also emphasizes the transformative potential of the Catechism, inviting viewers to embrace its teachings and share its message globally.

Takeaways

• 📜 The script discusses the concept of heaven and its depiction in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Revelation.
• 🔮 The Apostle John's vision of heaven is detailed in the Book of Revelation, which is derived from the Greek word 'Apokalypsis' meaning 'unveiling' or 'revelation'.
• 🕊 The Mass is likened to a form of divine life participation and is connected to the heavenly worship described in the Bible.
• ✝️ The Mass has two main components: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, reflecting the structure of early Christian worship.
• 📖 The Liturgy of the Word includes readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament epistles, and the Gospel.
• 🍇 In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, participants engage in the sacrifice and banquet of the Eucharist, symbolizing Jesus' sacrifice.
• 🙏 The faithful pray for the acceptance of their sacrifice to God during the Eucharist, uniting with the Church in heaven and on earth.
• 💔 The Eucharist serves as a reparation for the sins of both the living and the dead, as stated in the Catechism.
• 🌟 The Eucharist is identified as making the Church, as it brings people into communion with Jesus Christ through participation in His sacrifice.
• 🎉 The Sanctus, a part of the Mass, echoes the angelic and saintly worship in heaven, as seen in the books of Isaiah and Revelation.
• 🌐 By participating in the Mass, individuals join in the heavenly worship of Jesus Christ, worshiping in the Holy Spirit through Jesus to the Father.
• 🌈 The Catechism of the Catholic Church is presented as a gift, not a textbook, aiming to help people understand and fall in love with the teachings of the Church.

Q & A

What is the significance of the term 'Apokalypsis' in the context of the Bible?

The term 'Apokalypsis' is the first Greek word St. John used in the Book of Revelation, meaning 'unveiling' or 'revelation', as it represents God's revelation of heaven to him.

Why is the Mass considered the fullest participation in divine life on earth according to the script?

The Mass is considered the fullest participation in divine life because it includes the Liturgy of the Word, where Jesus speaks to us through Scriptures, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, where we participate in his sacrifice and share in his act of Thanksgiving at the Last Supper.

What are the two 'movements' of the Mass as described in the script?

The two 'movements' of the Mass are the Liturgy of the Word, which involves readings from the Scriptures, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which is the participation in the sacrifice and banquet of the Eucharist.

How does the script describe the connection between the Mass and the heavenly worship?

The script describes the connection by highlighting the Sanctus, where the congregation prays and sings 'Holy, Holy, Holy', a phrase that appears in both Isaiah and Revelation during the worship of God by angels and saints, indicating a glimpse of heavenly worship.

What is the role of the priest in the Liturgy of the Eucharist according to the script?

The priest prays for the acceptance of the sacrifice to God and stands in the place of Jesus Christ, enabling the congregation to participate in Jesus' offering and sacrifice of himself to the Father in the Holy Spirit.

How does the Catechism of the Catholic Church describe the Eucharist as a sacrifice?

The Catechism (paragraph 1414) describes the Eucharist as a sacrifice offered in reparation for the sins of the living and the dead.

What does the Catechism say about the Eucharist making the Church (as per paragraph 1396)?

The Catechism states in paragraph 1396 that the Eucharist makes the Church because it unites believers in the worship and sacrifice of Christ, reflecting the unity of the Church.

How does the script explain the purpose of creating content related to the Catechism?

The script explains that the purpose is to transform the letter of the Catechism into a living voice for the modern world, making it relevant and shareable through various media forms like videos, stories, animations, podcasts, and social media.

What is the ultimate goal of the project mentioned in the script?

The ultimate goal of the project is to help people fall in love with the Catechism, the Church, and Jesus, by unlocking the contents of the Catechism and making it accessible and engaging for the world.

How does the script suggest that participation in the Mass impacts our journey as Christians?

The script suggests that participation in the Mass identifies us with Christ's heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us with the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.

What does the script imply about the relationship between the earthly liturgy and the heavenly liturgy?

The script implies that the earthly liturgy is a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy, as mentioned in paragraph 1090 of the Catechism, and that through the Eucharist, we share in the glory and communion with the heavenly Church.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Biblical Vision of Heaven and the Mass

This paragraph delves into the concept of heaven as depicted in the Bible, specifically through the vision of the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. It explains that the Mass is a form of divine life participation and worship that has roots dating back to the early Christian era, as evidenced by St. Justin Martyr's writings. The paragraph outlines the structure of the Mass, highlighting two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It emphasizes the Mass as a means to participate in Jesus' sacrifice and to unite with the heavenly worship, drawing parallels between the Sanctus prayer and angelic praises found in the Bible. The Eucharist is described as a foretaste of heavenly glory and a unifying act that connects the faithful with the Church in heaven.

05:04

🌏 Transforming the Catechism into a Living Voice

The second paragraph focuses on the mission to make the Catechism of the Catholic Church accessible and engaging for the modern world. It discusses the creation of various content forms such as videos, stories, animations, podcasts, and social media to help people connect with the teachings of the Church and Jesus, who is at the core of the Catechism. The paragraph invites viewers to join in this project, aiming to transform the written Catechism into a living voice that can be shared and enjoyed, thereby helping to spread the message of love and faith globally.

Keywords

💡Heaven

Heaven, in religious contexts, is often depicted as a place of eternal bliss and communion with the divine. In the video script, it is the ultimate destination for the faithful, a place of eternal rest and worship. The script mentions a vision of heaven described in the Bible, which serves as a basis for understanding the divine and the afterlife.

💡Apostle John

Apostle John, also known as John the Apostle or John the Evangelist, is traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. The script references his vision of heaven, which is the basis for the Book of Revelation, revealing the divine mysteries and the ultimate destiny of the faithful.

💡Revelation

Revelation, in the context of the script, refers to the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, which contains prophecies and visions of the end times. It is also used to describe the unveiling of heavenly mysteries to the Apostle John, as mentioned in the script, and is central to understanding the theme of divine worship.

💡Mass

The Mass is the central act of worship in the Catholic Church, a ritual commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. The script describes the Mass as the fullest participation in divine life on earth, with two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, both of which are deeply connected to the heavenly worship depicted in the Book of Revelation.

💡Liturgy of the Word

The Liturgy of the Word is the first part of the Catholic Mass, where scripture readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament epistles, and the Gospel are read. It is a time when the congregation hears the word of God, as mentioned in the script, and is a key element in the earthly participation in divine worship.

💡Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the second part of the Mass, where the bread and wine are consecrated and become the body and blood of Christ. The script highlights this as a moment of sacrifice and banquet, where the faithful participate in the sacrifice of Christ and are united with him in the Holy Spirit.

💡Eucharist

The Eucharist is a sacrament in the Catholic Church, representing the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The script explains that the Eucharist is a sacrifice offered for the living and the dead, and that it makes the Church, uniting believers with Christ and with each other in the divine act of worship.

💡Sanctus

The Sanctus is a part of the Eucharistic Prayer in the Mass, where the congregation prays and sings 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts...' as mentioned in the script. It is a direct participation in the heavenly worship, echoing the praises of the angels and saints, and is a powerful moment of unity with the divine.

💡Catechism

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an official summary of the Church's teachings. The script refers to specific paragraphs of the Catechism that explain the significance of the Eucharist and the Mass, emphasizing their role in the believer's journey towards eternal life and unity with the heavenly Church.

💡Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage, in the script, symbolizes the believer's journey through life towards eternal life with God. The Mass is described as a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy, and participation in it identifies the believer with Christ's heart, sustaining their strength along this pilgrimage.

💡Content Creation

The script mentions the creation of content that is relevant and watchable, such as videos, stories, animations, podcasts, and social media, aimed at helping people fall in love with the Catechism and the heart of the Church, which is Jesus. This content creation is part of the project to transform the written Catechism into a living voice for the modern world.

Highlights

Heaven's appearance is a natural curiosity for many, with a vision described in the Bible.

The Apostle John received a vision of heaven and wrote about it in the Book of Revelation.

Revelation's title comes from the Greek 'Apokalypsis', meaning 'unveiling' or 'revelation'.

The Mass is the fullest participation in divine life on earth, resembling parts of Revelation.

St. Justin Martyr's writings from the second century provide an early outline of the Eucharistic celebration.

The Mass consists of two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

In the Liturgy of the Word, Jesus speaks to us through Scripture readings.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist involves participation in the sacrifice and banquet of the Eucharist.

A key moment in the Eucharist is the prayer for the sacrifice's acceptance by God.

The Catechism states the Eucharist is offered in reparation for the sins of the living and the dead.

The Eucharist makes the Church, as stated in the Catechism, by uniting us in Jesus' sacrifice and Thanksgiving.

Participation in the Mass allows us to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and be sent on mission like the disciples.

The Sanctus in the Mass is a powerful prayer that connects us to heavenly worship.

The phrase 'Holy, Holy, Holy' appears in both Isaiah and Revelation, revealing a glimpse of heaven.

In the Eucharist, we participate in the heavenly worship of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

The Catechism reminds us that the earthly liturgy is a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy.

Participation in the Mass unites us with the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a gift, not a dry textbook, but a living voice of God's revelation.

Content is being created to make the Catechism engaging and shareable in multiple languages.

The goal is to help people fall in love with the Catechism, the Church, and Jesus, the heart of the Catechism.

Transcripts

Have you ever wondered what heaven looks like?

Yeah, and I’m sure this thought has crossed  a lot of people’s minds. If we (hopefully)  

want to spend the rest of eternity there… it  seems natural to wonder what it will be like.

Exactly. And many people might  not know that there’s actually  

a vision of heaven described in the Bible.

The Apostle John was given a vision of heaven,  and he wrote about it. The title of this book of  

the Bible comes from the first Greek word  St. John used – Apokalypsis – which means  

“unveiling” or “revelation” because  God gave him a revelation of heaven.

And part of the Book of Revelation  includes a vision of heavenly worship.

If you read Revelation closely, you can  see that many parts resemble the Mass.  

The Mass is the fullest participation in  divine life we can have here on earth. 

And it’s been celebrated since  the earliest days of Christianity.

As early as the second century, we  have the witness of St. Justin Martyr,  

who wrote a basic outline of the order of the  

Eucharistic celebration. These roots  have stayed the same even until today.

So let’s look at the basic outline of the  Mass. There are two great “movements” of  

the Mass. The first is the Liturgy of the Word,  and the second is the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

In the Liturgy of the Word, we hear Jesus speak  to us in the Scriptures — a reading from the Old  

Testament, a Psalm, a reading from one of the New  Testament epistles, and a reading from the Gospel.

And in the Liturgy of the Eucharist,  

the altar is prepared and we participate in  the sacrifice and banquet of the Eucharist.

There’s a key moment in the Liturgy of the  Eucharist, where the priest prays that our  

sacrifice may be acceptable to God. And the  faithful add to the prayer that the sacrifice  

may be “for the praise and glory of his name, for  our good, and the good of all his holy Church.”

We’re praying with the entire  Church in heaven and on earth.

The Catechism says in paragraph 1414,  “ As sacrifice, the Eucharist is  

also offered in reparation for the  sins of the living and the dead..”

And this is part of the reason the Catechism  also says, “The Eucharist makes the Church” in  

paragraph 1396. In the Mass, we hear Jesus speak  to us in the Scriptures, we also participate in  

his sacrifice on the cross, and we share and  are united to Jesus' own act of Thanksgiving  

instituted at the Last Supper. We also respond  and are able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.  

Then are sent out on mission,  just like the disciples!

There’s another amazing part of the Mass  that helps us understand that the Mass  

is a participation in heavenly worship. During  what’s called the Sanctus, we pray and sing:  

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, Heaven  and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in  

the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the  name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

This is one of the most important parts of the  Mass that we participate in. The phrase “Holy,  

Holy, Holy” is a powerful phrase that  appears once in Isaiah 6 and once in the  

book of Revelation during the worship  of God by the angels and the saints.  

Here, both the prophet and John are given  a glimpse at what is happening in heaven!

Jesus himself is made present in  the Eucharist during Mass. So by  

participating in Mass, we participate  in the heavenly worship of Jesus Christ.

In the Mass, we worship in the Holy Spirit through  Jesus Christ, to the Father. The priest stands in  

the place of Jesus Christ and we’re able to  participate in Jesus’ offering and sacrifice  

of himself to the Father in the Holy Spirit.  Heaven and earth, all the angels and saints,  

come together in communion with Jesus Christ  to participate in this worship of God.

This is why the Catechism reminds us in  paragraph 1090 “In the earthly liturgy we  

share in a foretaste of that heavenly  liturgy which is celebrated in the  

Holy City of Jerusalem toward  which we journey as pilgrims”

Having passed from this world to the Father,  

Christ gives us in the Eucharist  the pledge of glory with him.

Participation in the Holy Sacrifice of  the Mass identifies us with his heart,  

sustains our strength along the pilgrimage  of this life, makes us long for eternal life,  

and unites us even now to the Church in heaven,  the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.  

This is why the Mass is the fullest participation  in the divine life that we can have here on earth.

This is the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

It's the official summary written by the  Church of everything Catholics believe.

But if the contents of this Catechism  are unlocked, it can change the world.

We believe the Catechism isn't a  dry, dusty textbook. It's a gift. 

It's the fateful echo of a God who  desires to reveal himself to us.  

We're creating content that's relevant, watchable,  the type of content you want to share with your  

friends and all of this will be free to the  world and translated into multiple languages.

[Music] We're transforming the letter  into a living voice for the modern world.  

We're creating videos, stories, animations,  podcasts, social media. We're creating  

content that's relevant, watchable, the type  of content you want to share with your friends.

To help people fall in love with the Catechism,  the Church and the heart of the Catechism:

Jesus

Join us and help unlock the Catechism  for the world. Join in the project to  

re-transform the letter into a living voice.