40 Days of Spirituality: The Eucharist

The Dismissal Rites

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Jim Schwartz) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:08:00 +0000

The Dismissal Rites is less than forty words and takes about 15 seconds. The Lord be with you. And also with you. May almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Although liturgically brief, it is an evangelical beginning. We are sent for purpose; we are sent with the mission to love. The ritual ending indicates the reason why we gathered. We are sent forth in the Liturgy of the World in which we are to bear witness to the love of Jesus Christ in the world. This indeed is our Eucharistic mission. It is our parish mission as well.

The Communion Rite

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Jim Schwartz) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:36:00 +0000

The bread is broken, the wine is poured. The priest takes the broken bread and raises it, with the chalice, for all to see. Then he invites the people to Communion in words: Happy are those who are called to His supper. The people, with the priest, acknowledge their unworthiness to receive the Lord as well as their belief in the power of His presence. This prayer is a powerful expression of humility and of faith. “Lord, I am not worth to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.”

Communion is a moment of decision and action, a moment when we let Jesus serve us, when we are challenged to declare our faith in him. We do not receive Communion in silence, but with song and in dialogue. “The Body of Christ.” “Amen.” “The Blood of Christ.” “Amen.” The presence of Christ is expressed in this “Amen” in the sacrament, in the individual communicant, and in the entire assembly in procession to receive.

Is receiving Communion a private moment? Is it a communal moment? Might it be both?

Liturgy of the Eucharist

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Jim Schwartz) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:38:00 +0000

In the Liturgy of the Word we listen to God’s Word. Now in the light of that Word, we come to the altar, the table of sacrifice prepared for our holy meal, the Eucharist. In bringing forward the gifts of bread and wine, we offer to God the signs of the work of our hands, and we ask the Father to transform them into the Body and Blood of the Son. We offer our lives along with these gifts of bread and wine, asking God to transform us as well.

The Eucharistic Prayer begins with the preface dialogue exchanged between the priest and the assembly expressing our desire for the Lord in our midst. The Eucharistic Prayer, the heart of the Mass, is one great prayer beginning with the preface and concluding with the “Great Amen.”

As the Eucharistic Prayer is proclaimed, listen for the Invocation of the Holy Spirit, the Institution Narrative from the Last Supper account, the offering of our gift to the Father, a series of intercessions for various needs, and the final doxology of prayer and praise to the Triune God. As the doxology is sung by the priest, he holds the body and blood of Christ in a gesture of offering to God the Father.

The Liturgy of the Word

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Jim Schwartz) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:05:00 +0000

Today we continue our reflection on our most important prayer, the Mass, with a focus on God’s Word. The Liturgy of the Word is one of the two parts around which the Mass centers; the other is the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the Liturgy of the Word, we don’t just recall past events; we learn to be the followers of Christ in the here and now. We listen to the Word proclaimed in our midst and we also respond: “Thanks be to God!” Thank you, God, for speaking this word to us.

The readings are not chosen at random. They are drawn from a book of readings known as the Lectionary. The lectionary was developed at the direction of the Second Vatican Council which called for a more plentiful sharing of the Scriptures. Arranged in a three-year Sunday cycle and two-year daily cycle, the Lectionary provides three readings and a psalm for each Sunday of the year. In the course of three years, we hear almost the entirety of the New Testament and a good portion of the Old Testament as well.

Think of the Liturgy of the Word as the school of discipleship. This is a primary and central way to become a disciple – by hearing the Word and letting it take root in our hearts. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council wrote, “Christ Himself speaks when the holy scriptures are proclaimed in Church.” Christ Himself is speaking.

An Invitation

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Jim Schwartz) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:49:00 +0000

This Fall, we will celebrate our understanding of Eucharist and the sacred liturgy in a new 40 Days of Spirituality: The Eucharist. Please join me and fellow parishioners for this special opportunity to explore the rich symbolism and rituals that come together in the five parts of the Mass.

If you have never joined a small Christian community, this is an ideal time to get a taste of small groups. The program offers a way to refresh, enhance, and build on your knowledge of our Catholic understanding of liturgy and Eucharist and enrich your ministry to the St. Joseph’s community.

New small groups are now forming for these 40 Days—all are welcome to participate. It kicks off with a parish wide event on Sunday, October 5th. Learn more…

Encourage your friends, neighbors and parishioners with whom you serve in ministry to take this time with God. As we again this Fall commit our time, talent, and treasure to God in an attitude of gratitude for the many gifts of our lives, 40 Days of Spirituality: The Eucharist is my five-star recommendation as a most worthy and manageable commitment of your time. Thank you for all that you do at St. Joe’s as a witness to the love of Jesus Christ in the world.

See you in Church!