in search of the last supper july 2009 revd dr gareth leyshon archdiocese of cardiff
TRANSCRIPT
In Search of the Last Supper
July 2009Revd Dr Gareth Leyshon
Archdiocese of Cardiff
1400 BC
The Exodus Community
1000 BC
The Exodus Community Solomon builds a Temple
600 BC
Exodus Community Solomon builds a Temple Jewish exile –
Service of the Word develops
The Time of Jesus
Big Temple services in Jerusalem at the major feasts
The Time of Jesus
Big Temple services in Jerusalem at the major feasts
Local weekly and daily services in regional synagogues
The Time of Jesus
Jesus celebrates Passover. “This is My Body, This is My
Blood.”DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME!
1st Century
Jewish Psalm Service in the morning, Breaking of Bread in the evening
1st-3rd Centuries
Jewish Psalm Service in the morning, Breaking of Bread in the evening
Two services conflate to a recognisable Eucharist, celebrated in a private house
1st-3rd Centuries
Jewish Psalm Service in the morning, Breaking of Bread in the evening
Two services conflate to a recognisable Eucharist, celebrated in a private house
Readings and preachers are not brief!
1st-3rd Centuries On the day called Sunday, all who
live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.
1st-3rd Centuries Then we all rise together and
pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen
1st-3rd Centuries There is a distribution to each, and a
participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows... in a word takes care of all who are in need.
Constantine
Public buildings can be dedicated for worship, modelled on Roman Law Court – the Basilica
Constantine
Public buildings can be dedicated for worship, modelled on Roman Law Court – the Basilica
Constantine
Constantine
Public buildings can be dedicated for worship, modelled on Roman Law Court – the Basilica
Constantine
12th Century:
Franciscans made the
Roman Missal
Portable!
Gregory the Great
(†604) Latin text
Orthodox Design
College and
MonasticChapels
Jesus College Cambridge(was a 12th Century
convent!)
MonasticChapels
Gothic Cathedral
s
Cathedral + Choir =
Long cross-
shaped Church
So what’s a church
for?
So what’s a church
for?
Gather round altar?
So what’s a church
for?
Choirs sing in
worship?
So what’s a church
for?
Awe and adoration?
Intimacy vs. Reverence
I love you, Jesus!
My Lord and
my God!
Intimacy vs. Reverence 1st—3rd C – take the host home,
use it superstitiously...
I love you, Jesus!
My Lord and
my God!
Intimacy vs. Reverence Late 1st millennium: daily
communion (but not always Mass)
I love you, Jesus!
My Lord and
my God!
Intimacy vs. Reverence 13th Century: look at the Host
but don’t receive! (Easter Duties)
I love you, Jesus!
My Lord and
my God!
Intimacy vs. Reverence Mid 16th C – Jesuits succeed in
popularising monthly communion.
I love you, Jesus!
My Lord and
my God!
Council of Trent (1545-1563)
Printing Press Protestant Bibles Catholic Missals!
Standard Missal – Pius V (1570) Considered Vernacular for Mass Communion: Only the Host! All kneel. Demise of rood screens! Reunion with Eastern churches – they
keep their rites and languages.
Intimacy vs. Reverence Trent: You SHOULD receive at
Mass (but people didn’t)
I love you, Jesus!
My Lord and
my God!
Intimacy vs. Reverence Pope Pius X – Frequent
Communion and children receive at 7. (1910)
I love you, Jesus!
My Lord and
my God!
Intimacy vs. Reverence The Dialogue Mass - 1922.
I love you, Jesus!
My Lord and
my God!
Vatican II on the Mass (1964)
Remove duplications Restore some lost ancient
elements* More Scripture Homily BASED on Scripture * Prayer of the Faithful May use the local language Know main Latin parts
Communion from THIS Mass Less restriction on the chalice Concelebration permitted
(Right to say own Mass protected) Gregorian Chant & Organ eminent Other music permitted Rethink church building layout
Vatican II on the Mass (1964)
After Vatican II... 1969 – new Missal - Latin 4 Eucharistic Prayers
I – essentially Pope Gregory’s 7th C text II – rediscovered Hippolytus (c. 250) III – new composition (reflecting II) IV – from the Eastern Liturgy The words are often from the Bible
Full dialogue with the congregation “May face the people.” Communion “standing or kneeling” ♝
Typical Church c. 1934
Typical Church c. 1990
ALTAR: truly central so that the attention of the whole congregation naturally
focuses there
ALTAR: freestanding, to permit walking around it and celebration facing the
people
AMBO: for the proclamation of the readings; the faithful may readily see and hear the
minister
CHAIR: clearly visible. Sign that the celebrant presides over the whole
community.
TABERNACLE: place truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated,
suitable for prayer
TABERNACLE: in the sanctuary OR a chapel suitable for private adoration; not on main
altar.
Second lectern: does not mirror the decoration of the ambo
ALTAR RAILS: Vatican II said nothing. A practical consequence of lay ministers
and standing for communion
First Principle of Vatican II: noble simplicity
SANCTUARY: easily seen, a place,marked off, where ministers exercise their offices
Church in the Round: NY
Church in the Round: Liverpool
Unintended consequences...
Too-much de-emphasis on Holy God?
Tabernacles banished Altar rails often lost Push for communion in the hand
After Vatican II... 1974 – new Missal – English
get the gist across “and also with you” “mea maxima culpa”
1985 – Chalice totally derestricted for Wales (& England)
1985 – Communion in the Hand licensed for Wales (& England)
Communion on the tongue is ALWAYS PERMITTED
Symbol vs. Practical
What does it mean?
What can we manage
to do?
e.g. The Pulpit is reserved for the Word of God and
prayers Sunday Mass – all readings and only readings in the main pulpit
What does it mean?
What can we manage
to do?
e.g. The Pulpit is reserved for the Word of God and
prayers Weekday Mass – the main
pulpit is too remote
What does it mean?
What can we manage
to do?
e.g. The Pulpit is reserved for the Word of God and
prayers Nervous mourner goes to main pulpit for eulogyWhat does
it mean?
What can we manage
to do?
21st Century Church New translation in progress (ICEL/VC)
“and with your spirit” “mea maxima culpa”
2005 Rules stronger on “facing the people” extraordinary ministers shouldn’t purify standing or kneeling for communion? “In England and Wales it is through this action of walking
solemnly in procession that the faithful make their sign of reverence in preparation for receiving Communion.”
Presentation © Revd Dr Gareth Leyshon 2009 except for photographs included as fair use for educational purposes. It may be freely used as a Catholic educational tool.
www.drgareth.info