The Eucharist and the Missionary Family

Specific Objectives

At the end of the session, the participants are expected to:

1. Realize the importance of the Holy Mass in the family.

2. Grow in their appreciation and desire for the Eucharist as a family.

3. Be inspired to establish a culture in the family centered on the Eucharist

Expanded Outline

I. Introduction

As Catholics, we ought to know that the family is a domestic Church where faith and a Catholic culture is meant to start and grow in every member of it. The Catholic Church is the home of every baptized person and it is the home of every domestic church, the family. In every home, the table is where each member goes to be nourished. It is where food is served to nourish the body and the meaningful conversations that arise cater to the emotional and even spiritual needs of the family. In the Catholic Church, each part of the family is called to be nourished by Jesus regularly at Holy Mass. The Eucharist being the source and summit of our Christian life is what every catholic family should go to.

II. What Happens at Holy Mass

Every family needs to understand what truly happens at Holy Mass. It is in understanding that we can start to have a more meaningful practice of our Faith. Appreciating the Holy Mass for what it truly is will each family to greater reverence. The Holy Eucharist is more than just an hour of teaching and praying. It is a celebration and a remembrance of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. The mass is a meal, a sacrifice and a memorial.

1. Meal

One of the distinctive characteristics of the Eucharist is that it is a meal. It is not like an ordinary meal. A meal is a sign of fellowship but also a sign of intimacy and unity. In a meal, a family reminisces about the many events they have shared in a day or over the years, and at the Eucharistic meal the community reminisces about Jesus and retells his story during the Liturgy of the Word. Then the family shares food and drink, and at the eucharistic meal the community shares the body and blood of Christ.

A meal is a time of togetherness, it is inclusive, it gives nourishment, it's an occasion for service and forgiveness. A meal is a foretaste of heaven. The banquet of the Eucharist on earth prefigures the eternal banquet in heaven. We remember Christ in the Eucharist and as we partake of His body and blood we commune with Him making us one with Christ and with others. To go to mass is to have a piece of heaven, it is to have unity and communion with the One who has saved us. As Jesus promised, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (Jn 6:54). “Whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:58).

2. Sacrifice

The Eucharist is not just a meal, but also a sacrifice. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29), and as the sacrificial lamb on the altar of the cross, he took upon himself the sins of us all (Is 53:6b). It was his supreme act of love because there is no greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (Jn 15:13), and he did this for us while we are still sinners (Rom 5:8). Jesus “loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering” (Eph 5:2).

The celebration of the holy sacrifice of the mass is not a reenactment of the sacrifice of the cross, but rather “makes present the one sacrifice of Christ,” (CCC 1330). The sacrifice cannot be repeated. Scripture says that Jesus “entered once for all into the sanctuary … with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Heb 9:12). The key word is “once.” The sacrifice that Jesus offered on the cross was perfect and complete, and nothing can be done to add to it.

3. Memorial

The Mass is a memorial in which Christ is made present. Jesus asked his apostles and those who would follow to continue the Eucharistic celebration that he began. Jesus wanted his disciples to hold forever in their minds and hearts the momentous occasion when he broke bread and shared the cup with them. The Eucharistic meal at the Last Supper and his sacrificial death on the altar of the cross must never be forgotten. Rather, they must be cherished by every disciple as a treasure of immeasurable worth, and they must be repeated regularly to commemorate Jesus by the community of believers.

A gathering of the body of Christ, the Church, in the Eucharist is a time to remember. The remembrance takes place around a table, the altar, and begins with the Liturgy of the Word, Scripture readings, that recall the marvelous works of God and retell the major events of salvation history, all of which point to the Gospel, which brings to mind all that Christ has done for us (CCC 1103). The Mass continues with the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which culminates with the consecration, the community’s remembrance of the first Eucharist at the Last Supper. The mass fulfills Jesus’ request at the Last Supper “Do this in memory of me.”

III. Realities of Families going to Holy Mass

There are families who have not been going to Holy Mass together. Some spouses don’t together, it’s just the other spouse that goes to Mass regularly. Sometimes, parents don’t go with their children to Holy Mass. These are some realities that needs to be addressed especially in our community that is called be a missionary family. We cannot be a missionary family unless we center our lives on the Eucharist. We need to lead our families to Holy Mass and help them appreciate it even more.

IV. Establishing a Catholic Culture centered on the Eucharist

Every Catholic Family is meant to live out their catholic identity. It is a life-long practice and process to strengthen the culture that each family should have. But the desire especially from the parents should always be there in wanting to establish a Catholic Culture in the family.

1. Ensure your family's attendance to the holy Mass

This is the first step. Parents should lead their children into a routine of attending the Holy Mass every Sunday. The entire family should have a mindset and awareness that every Sunday, their schedule should revolve around the celebration of the Holy Mass. Establishing a culture such as this starts with the discipline that the family should have. Parent should ensure the attendance of their children.

2. Prepare your family for the holy Mass

The obligation to attend Holy Mass might be a routine that can be burdensome and boring for some. This is due to lack of appreciation and awareness about the real essence of the Mass, which is the highest form worship. But there is a way to better prepare our families and excite them to be fully present at it. One beautiful thing to do is to have a Liturgical Bible Study as a family, this will surely stir up excitement on members of the family. Leading them to a more attentive participation at Holy Mass. Another important thing is that, a missionary family, needs to understand what the Holy Mass is about. This can be done through explaining to the family the details of the Mass.

3. Never give up on your family.

No matter how beautiful our goal is to truly center our family on the Eucharist, there are some challenges that truly takes time to overcome. If some members of the family have gotten used to not going with the family or not going to Mass at all, it might take some time to invite the person again. But never accept things as it is, never lose the burden of bringing your family to Holy Mass again. This can be achieved ultimately through prayers and patience. Pray for the person in who has not been going to Mass and have the patience to constantly invite them to Mass. Witnessing to them about how the Holy Mass affects the way you live your life can trigger a good curiosity and inspiration on them.

V. Conclusion:

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324). We are Missionary Families of Christ and our missionary zeal as a family finds its meaning and purpose in the Eucharist. We are called to always bask in the presence of Jesus and be one with Him in Holy Communion. We are meant to lead our families always to the Eucharist. When we have led them to Christ who is fully present in the Eucharist, we have ensured that they are fully nourished.

Discussion Questions

For discussion, answer the following questions:

1. How is the sacramental life of your family? Do you go to the Eucharist together? If not what can you do?

2. How can you help spread the great news that we truly receive Jesus in the Eucharist? What can you do to encourage other families to go to mass?