Next the Priest reads the Gospel. This is one of, if not the most important part of Mass because it is an account of Jesus’ life or a teaching. The bible is God speaking to us. He has spoken to us down the ages until he became flesh in the form of Christ. If we listen carefully enough in Mass, God will speak directly to us.
The Priest, then explains to us the message that God is trying to get across, by sometimes linking it with our everyday lives, this is called the Homily. It is not always easy to listen to every word, and at the same time understand what all of it means. The Priest breaks all of this down and gives us a simpler meaning, so that we all may learn from the ‘word of God’.
Another important part of the Mass is the Creed. This is where we proclaim, what we believe in. We do this to remind ourselves because we must stay loyal and obedient to God our father.
The Offertory is where the bread and wine are brought up to the altar. The bread and the wine represent Jesus’ body and blood. At the offertory we can offer our whole life to Jesus. In this way Jesus can make us one with him and make us part of his offering of himself to his father.
Following the Offertory is the Preparation of the Gifts. This is where our gifts are presented to the altar, and the Priest then prepares them for Holy Communion.
Before Holy Communion we say the Eucharistic Prayer. This is a prayer, praising God, calling down the Holy Spirit, retelling the Last Supper story, and with the words of Jesus changing the bread into his body and the wine into his blood.
Communion is where we receive the body and blood of Jesus. The broken bread represents the broken body of Jesus on the cross.
At the end of Mass the priest calls down God’s blessing upon us and we are sent out to serve the Lord.
2. Explain the importance for a Roman Catholic of regularly attending Mass.
The Holy Eucharist (or Mass as it is sometimes called) is a true sacrament, given to us by Christ. Christ is present in the Eucharist and is received by us when we taken his body and blood. The Priest transforms the ordinary bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ so that only the image of bread and wine remains. The sacrament effects how we are one with Christ; it is food for the soul, gives grace and forgives sin. When the bread and wine is blessed and given out in the sacrament of the Eucharist, it is done in the same way as was done in Marks Gospel, chapter 14, verses 22 to 25. This was the Last Supper and the very first Mass.
Now the Church believes that the church through out the ages remembers that Jesus offered his perfect sacrifice of himself on the cross, through the mass. As both, priest and victim Jesus is present during the mass. Jesus suffered once and died on Calvary (Matthew 27:35-44) so the Church doesn’t believe that during the Mass Jesus will die and suffer like he did again. Finally apart from the manner of the offering being different the sacrifice of the mass is the same sacrifice as the one on Calvary.
We also must remember two important things about the mass. These are that firstly Jesus died on the cross for us so his father could pardon our sins and secondly he gave the church his blessing so that it may take part in that offering.
Catholics believe that the mass is to be the greatest possible act of worship. It is Christ’s own act of love and worship and to be offered a share, then we shall be privileged.
If we do not attend Mass regularly then we will not be aware and more importantly, not be a part of the celebration. We go to Mass to celebrate many special occasions. The birth of Jesus, as in Matthews Gospel chapter 1 verses 18 to 25, is more commonly known as Christmas. Epiphany, as in Matthews Gospel chapter 3 verses 13 to 17, is the baptism of Christ and this is the Sacrament that we receive so that we may become part of God’s family. Probably the most important time in the Churches year is Easter and the build-up to this, Holy week. Holy week, (Marks Gospel chapter 15 verses 21-47) is the time when we remember how Jesus died on the cross for us.
Catholic parents are expected to educate their children about Catholic practices by making them aware of the purpose of Mass. The important day for going to Mass is Sunday. It is the first day of the week, the day on which Jesus rose from the dead, the resurrection (Luke’s Gospel chapter 24 verses 1 to 3).
We must attend Mass because we are all part of God’s family, so we must gather to celebrate special times; the birth, death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ.
3. “Praying to God in Private is more important than attending services in Church”
Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show you have thought about different points of view.
Attending Mass is important because we all come together to worship in God the Father’s house. Also private prayer is important because this is the private time when we talk to God. The Bible stories read at Mass help us to relate what’s happening in them, to our everyday lives.
There are many occasions in the gospels where Jesus prays in private, for example in Matthews Gospel chapter 4 verses 1 to 17, Jesus is tempted by the devil in the desert where he is fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. Another time where Jesus prays in private is in the garden of Gethsemane, (Marks Gospel chapter 14 verses 32 to 42) this was the last time he prayed in private before he was taken to be crucified. Also Jesus told parables explaining public and private pray. The Pharisee and the Tax collector (Luke’s Gospel chapter 18 verses 9 to 14) is one of the parables Jesus told. The Pharisee stood-up and made everyone think that he’s so great and Holy by praying out loud, but when he went outside he was an evil man, telling people to give him money so that they may get to heaven. The tax collector on the other hand was truly sorry for his sins, he didn’t make a scene; he just went to the back of the room and prayed in private.
The Bible states, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James’ Gospel chapter 5 verse 16). Just as dieting and exercise are important to keep your body healthy, private prayer on a daily basis is also essential for you to live a happy and fulfilling life. Private prayer, unlike public prayer should be between you and God.
When we go to church, we are part of the Catholic community. We are a family because we all pray together. The Mass is mainly centred around one theme, the Last Supper.
