The Liturgy of the Word and of the Eucharist

The previous two sessions focused on the two aspects of Mass - the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Celina, Janan and Ramesh talked about the preparations needed to be done by lectors, who are the people who read the first and second readings at the lectionary.

A lector is one who proclaims God's word to the assembly, and to proclaim God's word, we must be a living word ourselves, for we cannot proclaim what we do not live. Like St. Paul, we should say "Not I, but Christ in me" as the Word burns in our hearts.

A lector should regularly read and reflect on the Scriptures, hold God's word close to his or her heart, listen for God's word in prayer and through others, and practise good communication skills with others in truth, respect and dignity.


Celina, Janan and Ramesh then gave a short Trivia at the end of the session, which proved to be extremely fun, competitive (what's new) and informative, as we enjoyed ourselves and learnt much about the many details involved in the celebration of Mass. Some questions included:

What is the difference between a chalice, a ciborium, and a corporal?
Are we allowed to follow the priest in saying the “Through Him, With Him, In Him…”?
Why is there a need for different colours throughout the liturgical year and what do they represent?


The following Friday, Sister Carol Hogan gave the session on the Eucharist and its connection to Social Justice. Some of the topics she touched on included the mandate of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and its objectives, as well as the plurality of definitions and concepts of the Eucharist given by the Church, and how they have changed over the years.

The Council's mandate was and is to promote justice and peace in the world, in the light of the Gospel and of the social teaching of the Church (art. 142).

Question: What is Holy Mass?
Answer: The Holy Mass is the Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, really present on the altar under the appearances of bread and wine, and offered to God for the living and the dead (The Penny or Baltimore Catechism, 1930, no. 277).

We cannot delude ourselves: by our mutual love, and, in particular, by our concern for those in need we will be recognized as true followers of Christ (cf. John 13: 35; Matthew 25:31-46). This will be the criterion by which the authenticity of our Eucharistic celebrations is judged. (John Paul II: Apostolic letter: Mane Nobiscum Domine, 2005 par. 28).

In the sacrament of the altar, the lord meets us, men and women, created in God’s image and likeness (cf. Gen 1:27) and becomes our companion along the way. In this sacrament, the Lord truly becomes food for us, to satisfy our hunger for truth and freedom. (Pope Benedict XVI, Apostolic exhortation, Sacramentum Caritas: The Sacrament of Love, 2007, par. 2).


One of the pictures that Sr. Hogan showed during the session was of a sculpture, 'Jesus and the Samaritan Woman'. The suffering Christ symbolises Christ’s gift of himself to us and his presence in the suffering people of our world. It also portrays the divine life that flows between the faithful Christian, symbolized by the Samaritan woman and Christ himself. While participating in the Eucharist we are reminded that Christ gave his life for us. Thus the Eucharist is an invitation to us to give our lives for others and to be people, who are committed to social justice. The overall structure of the sculpture signifies the Eucharist and Social Justice in a full circle.

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
Stephen Broadbent
Chester Cathedral, England

Join us this Friday, 7 Sept 2007, at St. Carthage's at 6pm, as we take part in this 'sacred banquet of communion with the Lord's body and blood' together as a family away from home - COSDU. Registration for the upcoming Sports Day will be taking place, and more details will be provided.