9/JESUS
9/4 THE MASS
THE LAST SUPPER. On the night before his death on the cross,
Jesus invited his twelve disciples to a meal. During the meal, Jesus changed
bread and wine into his body and blood and told them of his love for them. He
also gave them the power to repeat this meal in remembrance of his death and
resurrection. From this instruction, we have the outline of the Mass. Today the
priest continues this prayer which has two parts, the reading of the bible
(Liturgy of the Word) and the changing the bread and wine into his body and blood
(Liturgy of the Eucharist).
LITURGY OF THE WORD. This section can be divided into two
parts. In the first part, we speak to God. We ask for forgiveness, praise him
in the Gloria, and ask for his help in the Collect. In the second part, God speaks to us through
three or four bible readings and the priest's homily. We should listen
attentively to this important teaching and try to take one point for our
reflection and life.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST. This section has two parts. In the
first part, we thank God by offering him the body and blood of Jesus. We also
offer ourselves in gratitude for saving us by his death and resurrection. We
pray for the Church,
for the deceased, and for ourselves. In the second part, God gives us the
Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus, which gives us the strength to live as
friends of Jesus. The Mass is so important for us that it is a serious
obligation to attend Mass each Sunday.
