The Liturgy of the Eucharist

REED 30

The Mission of the Holy Spirit in the Liturgy1. To prepare the assembly to encounter Christ; 2. To recall and manifest Christ to the faith of the assembly; 3. To make the saving work of Christ present and active by his transforming power, making us living sacrifices.4. To make the gift of communion bear fruit in the Church.The Holy Spirit is teacher of the faith of the People of God and artisan of "God's masterpieces," the sacraments of the New Covenant. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2Cor.13:13).

THE LITURGY PREFIGURED IN THE OLD TESTAMENTThe Church's liturgy has retained certain elements of the worship of the Old Covenant as integral and irreplaceable: Reading the Old Testament Praying the Psalms Recalling the saving events and significant realities which have found their fulfillment in the mystery of Christ;promise and covenant, Exodus and Passover, kingdom and temple, exile and return.On this harmony of the two Testaments, the Paschal catechesis of the Lord is built and then, that of the Apostles and the Fathers of the Church.

This catechesis unveils what lay hidden under the letter of the Old Testament: the mystery of Christ. It is called "typological" because it reveals the newness of Christ on the basis of the "figures" (types) which announce him in the deeds, words, and symbols of the first covenant. By this re-reading in the Spirit of Truth, starting from Christ, the figures are unveiled. The flood and Noah's ark prefigured salvation by Baptism, as did the cloud and the crossing of the Red Sea.

Water from the rock prefigured the spiritual gifts of Christ in Confirmation. Manna in the desert prefigured the Eucharist, "the true bread from heaven.During Advent and Lent and at the Easter Vigil, the Church re-reads and re-lives the great events of salvation history in the "today" of her liturgy. In the liturgy of the New Covenant every liturgical action, especially the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments, is an encounter with Christ.This assembly transcends racial, cultural, social - indeed, all human affinities.The Sacred Scripture in the LiturgyIn the celebration of the liturgy, Sacred Scripture is extremely important. From it comes the lessons that are read and explained in the homily and the psalms that are sung. It is from the Scriptures that the prayers, collects, and hymns draw their inspiration and their force, From it actions and signs derive their meaning.

Liturgical Seasons1. Advent= Color Purple/Violet Incarnation: Time of expectation for the Birth of Christ. The Church awaits the second Coming of Christ. 2. Christmas=Color White or Gold Birth of Christ. The Nativity.3. Lent=Color Purple/Violet Time of Christs passion and Death. 4. Easter=White-Resurrection of Christ.5. Ordinary Time-Color GreenRed color-for Palm Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, Feast of MartyrsOn the Lord's Day (Sunday), we keep the memory of the Lord's resurrection. In the course of the year, moreover, the church unfolds the whole mystery of Christ.

The liturgical yearThe Liturgical year begins with advent. However Christs Resurrection fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance.The year is transfigured by the liturgy. The "year of the Lord's favor.Easter is the Feast of feasts, the Great Sunday (St. Athanasius).It is the mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to him.

In the liturgical year the various aspects of the one Paschal mystery unfold. This is also the case with the cycle of feasts surrounding the mystery of the incarnationINCARNATION=Annunciation, Christmas, Epiphany They commemorate the beginning of our salvation and communicate to us the first fruits of the Paschal mystery.The sanctoral in the liturgical year:Fiestas, Memorials of Blessed Virgin Mary, Martyrs and Saints during the annual cycle.

The Liturgy of the HoursLiturgy of the Psalms (clergy, religious, and lay people).. The Liturgy of the Hours "is the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father.The Liturgy of the Hours, is like an extension of the Eucharistic celebration.

The lectio divina, is rooted in the liturgical celebration. The Word of God is read and meditated that it becomes prayer.

WHERE IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED?1. The Cross: The altar of the New Covenant is the Lord's Cross, from which the sacraments of the Paschal mystery flow. 2. On the altar: the center of the church, the sacrifice of the Cross is made present under sacramental signs. The altar is also the table of the Lord, to which the People of God are invited.3. The church has an eschatological significance. To enter into the house of God, we must cross a threshold, which symbolizes passing from the world wounded by sin to the world of the new Life to which all are called. The visible church is a symbol of the Father's house open and welcoming.

The Heavenly LiturgyIn the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, a minister of the holies and of the true tabernacle.We sing a hymn to the Lord's glory with all the warriors of the heavenly army; Venerating the memory of the saints, we hope for some part and fellowship with them. We eagerly await the Savior, Our Lord Jesus Christ, until He, our life, shall appear and we too will appear with Him in glory (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #8).

The SacramentsSacrament is defined as efficacious sign, instituted by Christ which gives us grace.They are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant.

The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments.

There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

The sacraments are "of the Church" in the double sense that they are "by her" and "for her.

Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders confer, in addition to grace, a sacramental character or "seal. This configuration to Christ and to the Church, brought about by the Spirit, is indelible mark which remains forever.It is a positive disposition for grace, a promise and guarantee of divine protection, and as a vocation to divine worship and to the service of the Church. They can never be repeated.

The sacraments confer the grace that they signify when celebrated worthily in faith.They are efficacious because in them Christ himself is at work. It is Christ who baptizes, who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies. As fire transforms into itself everything it touches, so the Holy Spirit transforms into the divine life whatever is subjected to his power. Epiclesis of each sacrament, expresses her faith in the power of the Spirit(Invocation of the Holy Spirit).

The sacraments act ex opere operato (literally: "by the very fact of the action's being performed"). By virtue of the saving work of Christ, accomplished once for all. It follows that "the sacrament is not wrought by the righteousness of either the celebrant or the recipient, but by the power of God."

From the moment that a sacrament is celebrated in accordance with the intention of the Church, the power of Christ and his Spirit acts in and through it, independently of the personal holiness of the minister. Nevertheless, the fruits of the sacraments also depend on the disposition of the one who receives them. The sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation.

Sacramental grace is the grace of the Holy Spirit, given by Christ and proper to each sacrament. The fruit of the sacramental life is that the Spirit of adoption makes the faithful partakers in the divine nature by uniting them in a living union with Christ. This fruit is both personal and ecclesial

St. Thomas sums up the sacramental signs (a sacrament is a sign that commemorates what precedes it).Christ's Passion; demonstrates what is accomplished in us through it- grace; and prefigures what that Passion pledges to us - future glory.The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required disposition.

Three Major Divisions of the SacramentsSacraments of Initiation=1. Baptism2. Confirmation3. EucharistThey Lay the foundations of Christian life. The sharing in the divine nature bears a certain likeness to the natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism,strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation,receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life.

B. Sacraments of Healing 1. Penance/Reconciliation2. Anointing of the SickWe are subject to suffering, illness, and death. The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, continues, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing.

C. Sacraments of Service1. Marriage/Matrimony2. Holy OrdersThese are directed towards the salvation of others.They contribute to personal salvation, through service to others.They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God.

Purpose of the Sacraments1. To sanctify People 2. To build up the Body of Christ3. To give worship to God.Because sacraments are signs they also instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and express it. That is why they are called sacraments of faith.

The Church's faith precedes the faith of the believer who is invited to adhere to it. When the Church celebrates the sacraments, she confesses the faith received from the apostles.The ancient saying: lex orandi, lex credendi: legem credendi lex statuat supplicandi (The law of prayer is the law of faith: the Church believes as she prays). Liturgy is a constitutive element of the holy and living Tradition.

For this reason no sacramental rite may be modified or manipulated at the will of the minister or the community. Even the supreme authority in the Church may not change the liturgy arbitrarily, but only in the obedience of faith and with religious respect for the mystery of the liturgy

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISMHoly Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.What is this Sacrament Called? to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature.This sacrament is also called "the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.It is called gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift.Baptism in the Economy of SalvationGen. 1:2, Noah's ark a prefiguring of salvation by Baptism, waters of the Red Sea, crossing of the Jordan River by which the People of God received the gift of the land promised to Abraham's descendants.

How is the Sacrament of Baptism Celebrated?(RCIA-Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) catechumenate.The mystagogy of the celebration:The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis- invocation of the Holy Spirit(either at this moment or at the Easter Vigil).The essential rite of the sacrament: Baptism properly speaking. Signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. However, from ancient times it has also been conferred by pouring the water three times over the candidate's head.

Water of BaptismThe anointing with sacred chrism (perfumed oil): signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king.The white garment: symbolizes that the person baptized has "put on Christ, has risen with Christ. The candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In him the baptized are "the light of the world.

Who can Receive Baptism? "Every person not yet baptized and only such a person is able to be baptized.Who can Baptize? The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon. In case of necessity, any person, even someone not baptized, can baptize.The Necessity of Baptism? Baptism is necessary for salvation.The Effects/Grace of Baptism? Cleanses Original Sin, Makes us Christians, Children of God, Heirs of heaven, Temple of the Holy Spirit, Indelible Spiritual character/mark, Incorporation into the Church.

Sacrament of Confirmation In the Economy of Salvation The apostles laying on of hands to the newly baptized-the gift of the Spirit that completes the grace of Baptism. In the Letter to the Hebrews the doctrine concerning Baptism and the laying on of hands is listed among the first elements of Christian instruction. The imposition of hands is the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost.

Anointing with perfumed oil (chrism) was added to the laying on of hands-to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit.This anointing highlights the name "Christian," which means "anointed" and derives from that of Christ himself whom God "anointed with the Holy Spirit.Confirmation is called Chrismation, anointing with chrism, or myron. Confirmation 2 purposes 1. ratification of Baptism, thus completing Christian initiation, 2. strengthening of baptismal grace - both fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The Signs and the Rite of Confirmation

The sign of anointing: signifies and imprints a spiritual seal.The Celebration of ConfirmationThe bishop extends his hands over the whole group of the confirmands. This gesture signifies the gift of the Spirit. The bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit. The essential rite of confirmation is anointing the forehead with sacred chrism (in the East other sense-organs as well), together with the laying on of the minister's hand and the words: Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. By this anointing the confirmand receives the "mark," the seal of the Holy Spirit and share the mission of Christ . A seal is a symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or ownership of an object. The sign of peace that concludes the rite of the sacrament signifies and demonstrates ecclesial communion with the bishop and with all the faithful.The effect of confirmation is the deepening of baptismal grace.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARISTThe holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation.The Eucharist Source and Summit of Ecclesial life. Different Names of the EucharistTHANKSGIVING, MEMORIAL, SACRIFICE, PRESENCE1. Thanksgiving: Eucharist is an action of thanksgiving to God. The Greek words eucharistein recall the Jewish blessings that proclaim God's works: creation, redemption, and sanctification.

2. The memorial of Christ's Passover; memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection The Exodus events, Israels liberation from Egypt:memory of Passover In the New Testament memorial; the Eucharist commemorates Christ's Passover, makes present the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross. As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which 'Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed' is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out.

3. SACRIFICE The Eucharist is a sacrifice because it makes present the sacrifice of the cross. The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice. The victim is one and the same: The same now offers through the ministry of priests in un-bloody manner, Who then offered himself on the cross in a bloody manner. This sacrifice is truly propitiatory.The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass-sacrifice of praise, spiritual sacrifice, pure and holy sacrifice are also used, since it completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant.

4. Presence: Christ is present Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the blessed Eucharist.,5. THE PASCHAL BANQUET; The Lord's Supper; The Breaking of Bread. Jesus used this rite, part of a Jewish meal when as master of the table he blessed and distributed the bread.For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God (Lk. 22:16).

6. The Holy and Divine Liturgy; the Church's whole liturgy finds its center and most intense expression in the celebration of this sacrament.Celebration of the Sacred Mysteries. Most Blessed Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament of sacraments.

7. Holy Communion: SACRAMENT OF UNITY. By this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body, one communion. It is also called: the holy things (ta hagia; sancta)- the first meaning of the phrase "communion of saints" in the Apostles' Creed - the bread of angels, bread from heaven, medicine of immortality, viaticum (Bread for the journey) . 8. Holy Mass (Missa), the liturgy concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God's will in their daily lives 3 PARTS OF THE CHURCH1. Church Triumphant Saints who are already victorious from the earthly temptations and pains.2. Church Militants Living Members of the Church are still struggling here on earth. They are like warriors hence in need of the intercessions of the Saints. 3. Church SufferingThose is Purgatory. They need the prayers of the living members of the Church.THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATIONThe signs of bread and wine become, in a way surpassing understanding, the Body and Blood of Christ; they continue also to signify the goodness of creation. In the Offertory we give thanks to the Creator for bread and wine, fruit of the earth and of the Vine- Gifts of the Creator. Work of human hands.The Church sees in the gesture of the king-priest Melchizedek, who brought out bread and wine, a prefiguring of her own offering (Gen 14:18).In the Old Covenant bread and wine were offered in sacrifice among the first fruits of the earth as a sign of grateful acknowledgment to the Creator.

The unleavened bread: Every year at Passover commemorates the haste of the departure that liberated them from Egypt; the remembrance of the manna in the desert will always recall to Israel that it lives by the bread of the Word of God; their daily bread is the fruit of the promised land, the pledge of God's faithfulness to his promises.The Cup of blessing:At the end of the Jewish Passover meal , adds to the festive joy of wine an eschatological dimension: the messianic expectation of the rebuilding of Jerusalem. When Jesus instituted the Eucharist, he gave a new and definitive meaning to the blessing of the bread and the cup. THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST:Two parts of the Mass:The liturgy of the Word- the gathering, the liturgy of the Word, with readings, homily and general intercessions.The liturgy of the Eucharist: the presentation of the bread and wine, the consecratory thanksgiving, and communion. Together they form "one single act of worship"; the Eucharistic table set for us is the table both of the Word of God and of the Body of the Lord

The Eucharist Center of Christian existenceThe Sacrament of the reign of GodThe Sacrament of the life of the ChurchThe Sacrament of the transformation of the world I am the Bread which cometh down from Heaven and gives life unto the world, he that eats of this Bread shall live for ever (John 6: 35) St. Ignatius of Antioch-The Eucharist is remedy bestowing immortality, an antidote preventing death and giving life in Jesus Christ .He referred to the Church as a "Eucharistic community" who realizes her true nature when she celebrates the Eucharist. His view of the Church was the local community gathered around its Bishop, celebrating the Eucharist.

Parts of the Mass1. The Introductory Rites-Greeting-Penitential Rite2. Glory to God in the highest3. The Liturgy of the Word-The Word of the Lord-The Creed4. The Liturgy of the Eucharist-Offertory (Preparation of the Altar and the gifts)-Prayer over the gifts-The Eucharistic Prayer-The Communion Rite-Invitation to the Lords prayer-Embolism: deliver us from evil . In Christian liturgy it is an interpolation, a short prayer said or sung after the Lords prayer. It functions upon the final petition of the Lord's Prayer ,amplifying and elaborating on "the many implications of that prayer..-Lord I am not worthy5. The Concluding Rite

The Healing Church1. Reconciliation: The sign of ConversionThe mystery of Reconciliation-God forgives us and so we ought to forgive those who offend us.The Lessons from History-In the Church during the Middle ages there were excommunication of those who committed offenses. And giving of back seat to offenders. The Reform and its Future- Development from Sacrament of Confession=Penance=ReconciliationGeneral Rules- Canon 959-997

2. Anointing: Christian wholenessHealing mystery of ChristThe Tradition of anointing and healing-James 5:14.Illness and Christian HealingAnointing for Divine Glory

INFIRMORUM=Holy oil for the sick.

VIATICUMThe last sacrament of the Christian.In addition to the Anointing of the sick the Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum.Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of passing over to the Father, has a particular significance and importance.

Penance, the Anointing of the sick and the Eucharist as viaticum constitute at the end of Christian life the sacraments that prepare for our heavenly homeland or the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage.General Rules-Canon 998-1007 Preparation for Anointing of the Sick 1. Prepare the room2. Get ready the sick person 3. Prepare a Table with the following: white cloth, candle, crucifix, and Holy Water4. Keep a washing basin and towel for the priest5. Participation of the family members

HOLY OIL

The holy oils are symbols of spiritual nourishment and the light of grace.There are three kinds: oil of catechumens, holy chrism, and oil of the sick (INFIRMORUM). The first and third are pure olive oil. chrism has in the oil a mixture of balm or balsam. Baptism=Catechumens and ChrismConfirmation=Chrism Holy Orders=ChrismAnointing of the sick=Infirmorum

Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning.

Oil is a sign of abundance and joy; it cleanses and limbers. Oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds; and it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength.Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life.

Pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthening.Post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and Ordination is the sign of consecration.Anointing of the sick expresses healing and comfortThe Church at the Service of Communion Orders and Mysteries The Priest as Servant-Leader. Humble Servant of Baptism and in the service of the Eucharist.Models of Ministry: Historical shiftsThe fundamental Priesthood of the ChurchThe Sacramental foundation of MinistryMinistry: Building up the Church General Rules-Canon 1008-1054

2. Marriage: The call to the Gift of selfRevitalizing the TraditionSacrament of Love General Rules- Canon 1055-1165

The essential properties of marriage are;Unity and indissolubility Procreation and Education of Children. In Christian marriage they acquire a distinctive firmness by reason of the sacrament (c.1056).

BASIC POINTS for the sacraments1. A sacramental experience is an encounter with God.2. Encounters always change us.3. The 7 Ritual sacraments are guaranteed opportunities for encountering Christ and through him the Father.4. The Sacraments are re-presentations through sign of particular actions of Jesus5. Christ himself is present within the re-presentation of his actions.6. They reflect the basic values of Jesus.7. They bring us under the gentle rule of the Holy Spirit.