Saturday, July 21, 2012
277. How is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist carried out? (part 1)
(Comp
277) The Eucharist unfolds in two great parts which together form one, single
act of worship. The Liturgy of the Word involves proclaiming and listening to
the Word of God. The Liturgy of the Eucharist includes the presentation of the
bread and wine, the prayer or the anaphora containing the words of
consecration, and communion.
“In
brief”
(CCC 1408)
The Eucharistic celebration always includes: the proclamation of the Word of
God; thanksgiving to God the Father for all his benefits, above all the gift of
his Son; the consecration of bread and wine; and participation in the
liturgical banquet by receiving the Lord's body and blood. These elements
constitute one single act of worship. 1408
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 1345)
As early as the second century we have the witness of St. Justin Martyr for the
basic lines of the order of the Eucharistic celebration. They have stayed the
same until our own day for all the great liturgical families. St. Justin wrote
to the pagan emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161) around the year 155, explaining
what Christians did: On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in
the city or country gather in the same place. The memoirs of the apostles and
the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits. When the reader
has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges
them to imitate these beautiful things. Then we all rise together and offer
prayers* for ourselves… and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we
may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the
commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation. When the prayers are concluded
we exchange the kiss. Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine
mixed together to him who presides over the brethren. He takes them and offers
praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged
worthy of these gifts. When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all
present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.' When he who presides
has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give
to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take
them to those who are absent (St. Justin, Apol.
1, 65-67: PG 6, 428-429; the text before the asterisk (*) is from chap.
67).
On
reflection
(CCC 1346)
The liturgy of the Eucharist unfolds according to a fundamental structure which
has been preserved throughout the centuries down to our own day. It displays
two great parts that form a fundamental unity: - the gathering, the liturgy of
the Word, with readings, homily and general intercessions; - the liturgy of the
Eucharist, with the presentation of the bread and wine, the consecratory
thanksgiving, and communion. The liturgy of the Word and liturgy of the
Eucharist together form "one single act of worship" (SC 56); The
Eucharistic table set for us is the table both of the Word of God and of the
Body of the Lord (Cf. DV 21). (CCC 1347)
Is this not the same movement as the Paschal meal of the risen Jesus with his
disciples? Walking with them he explained the Scriptures to them; sitting with
them at table "he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to
them" (Cf. Lk 24:13-35). [IT
CONTINUES]
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