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BodRod
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 02:33 am |
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What would you answer if someone asked you, "What is the meaning of the Mass?"
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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setapart
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| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Born Catholic, Non-Denominational Charismatic, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 02:59 am |
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If I was Dave Armstrong I would answer with the explanation provided in the online Catholic Encyclopedia which is quite extensive. But since I am only simple ole me - I will say that it is a re-presentation of the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross which includes the Liturgy of the Word and the Litury of the Eucharist as the Real Presecnce - Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Sorry Dave - that I brought your name up here - but I couldn't resist)
New Advent Article:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10006a.htm
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But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. Mal 4:2
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mrsbmoo
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 03:26 am |
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You want my answer or the official correct answer?
I might answer that it was meant to worship God and change me for the better.
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Becky
Wife of Michael(called Moo) and stay at home mom to 5 daughters between 13 months and 17
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BodRod
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 03:36 am |
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Your answer.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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Didi
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 07:32 am |
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Wow, the meaning of the Mass...
to receive God's mercy and forgiveness
to experience God is the Sacred Scripture, in my brothers and sisters who comprise the Body of Christ, and especially to receive Jesus in Holy Communion
to pray and intercede for others
to offer my own sufferings and gifts on the altar as we experience being at the foot of the cross of Jesus, His death and His resurrection
to offer thanksgiving for all He has done for me
to praise God with the angels and saints (especially when we sing the Holy Holy Holy)
to experience heaven on earth!
Last edited on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 07:33 am by Didi
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Dave Armstrong
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 05:45 pm |
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Sorry to "disappoint" you Bill, but I would have answered almost exactly as you did! 
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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BodRod
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 07:18 pm |
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I was looking for more personal responses. My problem is that I have been assigned that topic for a presentation in RCIA and I can not come up with a response that satisfies me. For I guy who can "talk your leg off" I am stumped with this one. I have the references and the official positions and commentaries but there is something more to it. In a way, it is something like going to adoration. I know I like to go to Mass but it is waaaaay more than a duty or requirement.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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Dave Armstrong
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 07:41 pm |
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I think something of what you are looking for was perhaps expressed in an interview between my two friends, Dr. Stanley Williams (filmmaker and writer) and Dr. Robert Fastiggi (professor of theology). It will eventually be published on the Catholic Exchange website and in a book (I am an editor for the series; hence I know about it):
Williams: What does taking the Eucharist mean practically for my day to day life? If we can be idealistic for a moment: I take the Eucharist every Sunday. What should that do to my life practically in terms of what people see in my life?
Fastiggi: Well we have to ask ourselves what is the Christian life all about? It’s growing closer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It’s growing in the love of God and the love of neighbor. So receiving the source of grace into our very bodies—Christ, the source of our life, of Grace, our sanctification --, catches us from sin and really cleanses us from venial sin. Now it doesn’t cleanse us from mortal sin if one is conscious of grave sin once you go to sacramental confession before receiving. But these non-mortal sins, these venial sins, these weaknesses we have -- the receiving worthily of Holy Communion not only purifies us of those sins but it strengthens us, strengthens our character so that we are less likely to commit these venial sins in the future. So if we worthily receive our Lord in the Eucharist we grow in the knowledge and love of God, we become more like Christ, it’s the process of becoming divinized.
Williams: Or becoming the body of Christ.
Fastiggi: This is the living God. This is the creator of the universe you are going to receive under the form of what seems to be bread and wine but it is the living God. It is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It’s the same Christ that Thomas bowed before or prostrated before and he said "My Lord, and my God."
He wants to give us His very self. He wants to give of Himself all that He is – body, blood, soul, and divinity, and to enter into us so we can become more like Him, because that is what is preparing us for our eternal life, where we are transformed and transfigured after the pattern of our Lord’s resurrected body.
Last edited on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 07:42 pm by Dave Armstrong
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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jacki
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 11:43 pm |
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for me Mass is - an hour on Sunday to connect with God - to have peace and the chance to open my heart
i asked my 16 year old as well her response - " time to let God know I still think he is the boss, time to take Jesus inside of me and carry him along with me"
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GoodSoil
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 07:20 pm |
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For me mass is togetherness, this missing piece in all my other church affiliations.
Many Protestants think that mass is wrong because Jesus is being re-crucified, re-offered. Sin a little more, offer another mass, like Jesus' sacrifice wasn't enough.
But Jesus' sacrifice was neither over and over nor simply once, but once and for all. Always. Eternal. It is we who are fragmented by time. When we reunite and offer God his Son on behalf of the world, and ourselves in heartfelt gratitude, we are again one body. Together, reliving that pivotal moment in all of human history. The church calls mass a sacrifice, but also a prayer, which is why you can have a mass said for someone. A prayer and an offering and a meal. Together.
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Darryl
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 08:11 pm |
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Good Soil,
I understand that the sacrifice was once for all. Thus Catholics would believe in the finished work of Christ. My question is this. When Christ is represented in the mass, is it him present looking forward from the cross, or is he moving from the present in his glorified state into the eucharist? I know God is outside of space and time, I'm just wondering what if the church teaches on this.
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 08:50 pm |
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Darryl wrote:When Christ is represented in the mass, is it him present looking forward from the cross, or is he moving from the present in his glorified state into the eucharist?
Hi Darryl. This is a monumental question. It shows you are really working on the concepts.
Christ does not “move into” the Eucharist or “take possession” of it; he is the Eucharist. It is a continuation of the incarnation, now in his glorified state. As he is in heaven, so is he on earth, but veiled under the appearances of bread and wine.
David
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Darryl
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 09:02 pm |
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Thanks David. Thus the bread and wine become Jesus' body and blood, and more than a moving on or possesing, it is a 'changing'. So before the prayer for transubstantiation the elements are bread and wine. Then after to prayer it is the body and blood. Never mind I get it. It is a miracle first done by Jesus, and passed on to Peter and his successors they also perform this miracle every mass.
Praise God.
Thanks David.
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