Module 1: Understanding the Mass
The first mass took place in a large upper room in Jerusalem where Jesus gathered his Apostles on a Holy Thursday night. On this Last Supper, Jesus said to his apostles;
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood" (Lk 22:15-20).
Since then, the mass became the central act of Catholic worship and described by the Vatican II as “the source and summit of the Christian life”. It is a valuable source of history lesson; of the time that has passed and the world that is to come.
Each part of the mass has a meaning and majority of what we say or do are taken from the Scripture itself. Some parts are prayers of who we believe God is as revealed on the Scriptures.
Let us go through, together, on this great day of enlightenment and exploration of the mass. Read the lessons, understand the meaning of the mass and enjoy the voyage because the mass will never be the same again for you and me.