THE MASS

[GodsGrace]

During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted what would become known as the Mass.
Mass means TO SEND OUT. Just as Jesus sent out His Apostles in the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19
We are to go out and live our Christian life and be a good witness to others around us.

The Mass does not recrucify Jesus but is as if we were standing at the foot of the cross...it's a remembrance, and we do this in memory of Him, as Jesus instructed at the Last Supper. This is why the Mass is solemn. We remember the passion of Jesus, His death and His resurrection, and He is present with us.

Jesus was both the Priest offering the sacrifice, and He IS the sacrifice.
The Mass can be beneficial in 4 ways:

1. Adoration: We recognize that God is our Father, Creator and LORD and that He has always loved us.
2. Thankfulness: Eucharist means thankfulness. We thank God for everything because everything is a gift from Him.
3. Reparation: Sins detach us from God. We ask God to forgive our every sinful action and give us the mercy that only Jesus can give.
4. Impetration: We have much need...both physically and spiritually. We give our requests to God with forceful prayer and together with Jesus' offer of salvation. God give us grace that we need, according to our needs.

Tomorrow: The Parts of the Mass

 

[GodsGrace]

The Mass is divided into 2 big parts:
The Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Eucharist

It's how the Early Church practiced what Jesus taught, Jesus did this even when He was with 2 disciples on the way to Emmaus (after the resurrection). First He spoke to them about Himself, and then they had bread together.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

RITE OF INTRODUCTION
This prepares us for worship and hearing the Word of God.
A small bell sounds and the priest proceeds to the Altar.
He welcomes everyone. PEACE BE WITH YOU.
We respond. AND ALSO WITH YOU.

PENITENTIAL ACT
The congregation asks forgiveness of venial sins and the priest says prayers.
We respond: LORD HAVE MERCY, CHRIST HAVE MERCY, LORD HAVE MERCY.
The GLORIA is sung. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.

READING OF THE BIBLE
A lay person will read from the Old Testament.
A lay person will read from one of the letters in the New Testament.
The priest (or a Deacon) will read from one of the gospels.
The priest will give his homily.
The Creed is professed.
The prayers of the faithful are read.


THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
The altar is set to prepare for communion. (like a table for a meal).
During the Offertory Prayer, we offer our lives as a sacrifice, Romans 12:1.
The priest thanks God for all His gracious goodness toward us.
We sing: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY....

The holiest moment of the Mass:
The priest consecrates the host and it become the body and blood of Jesus.
THIS IS MY BODY....THIS IS MY BLOOD.... (we should be kneeling).


RITE OF COMMUNION
We rise and say the Our Father.
We exchange wishes of peace with others around us. PEACE or PEACE IN CHRIST.
The consecrated hosts are offered to the congregation. (a person must be Catholic to participate).
The priest says: THE BODY OF CHRIST, We respond: AMEN.
We return to our seat and say a prayer or contemplate.

RITE OF CONCLUSION
The priest blesses the congregation.
The priest says: THE MASS IS ENDED. GO IN PEACE.
We say: WE GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD. (or something similar).

The congregation is dismissed to go into the world to live a Christianly life and to share their faith.

 

[GodsGrace]

evenifigoalone

The Mass is really a beautiful experience.
I hope the above helps and that you enjoy it.
As you understand more and more what is taking place,
I think you'll enjoy it more and more.

 

[jasonc]

evenifigoalone

The Mass is really a beautiful experience.
I hope the above helps and that you enjoy it.
As you understand more and more what is taking place,
I think you'll enjoy it more and more.

High church ,which the reformed are do that ,they don't call it a mass.we don't have communion every service

 

[Mungo]

The Mass is divided into 2 big parts:
The Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Eucharist

It's how the Early Church practiced what Jesus taught, Jesus did this even when He was with 2 disciples on the way to Emmaus (after the resurrection). First He spoke to them about Himself, and then they had bread together.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

RITE OF INTRODUCTION
This prepares us for worship and hearing the Word of God.
A small bell sounds and the priest proceeds to the Altar.
He welcomes everyone. PEACE BE WITH YOU.
We respond. AND ALSO WITH YOU.

PENITENTIAL ACT
The congregation asks forgiveness of venial sins and the priest says prayers.
We respond: LORD HAVE MERCY, CHRIST HAVE MERCY, LORD HAVE MERCY.
The GLORIA is sung. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.

READING OF THE BIBLE
A lay person will read from the Old Testament.
A lay person will read from one of the letters in the New Testament.
The priest (or a Deacon) will read from one of the gospels.
The priest will give his homily.
The Creed is professed.
The prayers of the faithful are read.


THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
The altar is set to prepare for communion. (like a table for a meal).
During the Offertory Prayer, we offer our lives as a sacrifice, Romans 12:1.
The priest thanks God for all His gracious goodness toward us.
We sing: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY....

The holiest moment of the Mass:
The priest consecrates the host and it become the body and blood of Jesus.
THIS IS MY BODY....THIS IS MY BLOOD.... (we should be kneeling).


RITE OF COMMUNION
We rise and say the Our Father.
We exchange wishes of peace with others around us. PEACE or PEACE IN CHRIST.
The consecrated hosts are offered to the congregation. (a person must be Catholic to participate).
The priest says: THE BODY OF CHRIST, We respond: AMEN.
We return to our seat and say a prayer or contemplate.

RITE OF CONCLUSION
The priest blesses the congregation.
The priest says: THE MASS IS ENDED. GO IN PEACE.
We say: WE GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD. (or something similar).

The congregation is dismissed to go into the world to live a Christianly life and to share their faith.

An excellent summary of the structure of the Mass.

If you want a detailed scriptural basis for the Mass there is more in this old post - The Mass

 

[GodsGrace]

An excellent summary of the structure of the Mass.

If you want a detailed scriptural basis for the Mass there is more in this old post - The Mass

Will check it out.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Sorry it took me a while to respond, thanks for the summary!