Rev José Mario O Mandía
jmom.honlam.org
There is an early Christian work that shows that the Mass we celebrate in our days has the same basic content and structure as the Mass of the first centuries of Christianity. CCC 1345 cites that work, a letter that “St Justin wrote to the pagan emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161) around the year 155, explaining what Christians did.”
St Justin wrote: “On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.
“The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits.
“When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.
“Then we all rise together and offer prayers* for ourselves . . .and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.
“When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.
“Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.
“He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.
“When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: ‘Amen.’
“When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the ‘eucharisted’ bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent” (St Justin, Apologia 1 as quoted in CCC 1345).
In St Justin’s description, we can already distinguish the two basic parts of the Mass. “The Eucharist unfolds in two great parts which together form one, single act of worship.
“[1] The Liturgy of the Word involves proclaiming and listening to the Word of God.
“[2] The Liturgy of the Eucharist includes [2.1] the presentation of the bread and wine, [2.2] the prayer or the anaphora containing the words of consecration, and [2.3] communion” (CCCC 277).
We will note that this two-step sequence follows the same order as the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves (cf Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:5-15) and the appearance before the two disciples of Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). Jesus begins by [1] teaching and explaining the Scriptures, then [2] takes the bread, blesses, breaks and gives.
The Mass is only complete when it includes these two main parts.
Regarding this structure, Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM writes:
“St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) was Papal Vicar for Gaul and Spain at a critical time for the world when the barbarian invaders were making inroads across the Roman Empire.
“Writing to his flock, numbers of whom were newly converted barbarians or former followers of the heretic Arius (230-356), the venerable Archbishop gave them this good advice: ‘When you are at Mass, my dearest brethren, I beg you out of a Father’s love, not to leave the Church before the Mass is concluded … for if you reflect a little you will realize that the reading of the Scripture lessons is not the celebration of Mass.
“‘That is the Mass, when the offerings have been and when the Body and Blood of the Lord have been consecrated. You could read the Scriptures at home, or listen to others read them there. Whoever wishes to attend Mass fully for the profit of his soul, must with contrite heart and humble posture, remain in the Church until the Pater Noster has been said and the final blessing given.’”
That admonition is valid even up to this day.
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