Eucharist as Mission

 

     This October there will be a Synod of Bishops from around the world to discuss the Eucharist. Earlier this year the preparatory commission for the Synod sent a study text or Lineamenta to all the bishops to promote thought and discussion prior to the Synod. The title of the Lineamenta is “Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church.” This is an interesting expansion of the phrase used by the Constitution on the Liturgy of the 2nd Vatican Council, which described the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Church’s life. The study text adds, “and mission.” Also the 7th and final chapter of the Lineamenta is titled “A Gift for Mission.”

 

     So why is the Church now connecting Eucharist and mission? Actually, to do so is to make explicit what is implicitly expressed (and badly translated into English) at the end of every Mass. The Roman Rite Mass currently concludes with the exhortation of the priest or deacon:”Ite, missa est,” which does not mean ‘ the Mass is ended, go in peace,’ but, literally “Go, she is sent.” Who is this she who is being sent at the end of the celebration of the Eucharist? It is none other than Ecclesia, the feminine personification of the Church. The Eucharist sends us forth from our worship to do something. And that something is ...

 

     A lot of things! For example the presynodal document mentions acting in solidarity with the poor, and also the bringing of the Gospel to all peoples, what we normally mean by the missionary work of the Church. Other things we are sent by the Eucharist to do are: to witness to our faith by words and deeds; to work for peace and justice in the world; to work for unity among Christians and understanding between Christians and non-Christians; to exercise authentic stewardship of the gifts of creation; to replace a culture of death with the kingdom of life and to strive to bring about reconciliation to all areas of modern life that need healing: families, parishes, neighborhoods, etc.

 

     Our understanding and faith in the Eucharist, our celebration of Mass and reception of Holy Communion will never be complete until we have fulfilled the mission(s) contained in this greatest of sacraments. May this year of the Eucharist give us a deeper eucharistic spirituality along with a deeper sense of our Christian mission.

                                                                                    Msgr. Lockard

 

 

Quote for Thought:  Some questions to be asked when thinking about the Eucharist:

- What is there in your life to celebrate today? Does it join what you celebrate during the Eucharist?

- What are your difficulties, your joys during the Eucharist? What is the most important moment?

- If you had to explain to someone that it is important for you to go to Mass, what would you say?

- What relation is there between the Eucharist and the rest of your life?

- To what extent do you see Christian mission as an essential aspect of every Eucharist?
              - Peter J. Riga, “Eucharist Lives,” in Emmanuel, Sept./Oct. 2005, p.428

 

Quote for Thought Lite: “The obscure we see eventually; the obvious takes longer.”