A Biblical Walk Through the Mass Book Discussion Guide

Suggestions for your book discussion group time:

You could begin some sessions with Lectio Divina (see How to Pray a Gospel Reflection on the Program Support page of Rediscover-faith.org) to help group members learn meditation. Read the Sunday Gospel and sit for 3 minutes in silence, then have each person share something briefly that strikes them. Then sit for 3 more minutes in silence and allow whoever desires to do so to offer a prayer based on what is striking them.

Each week, give the group members a chance to share experiences from their actual time of prayer and Mass. Did they encounter blessings? Struggles? Movements of the heart?

At the end of each session allow for 5 minutes of silence and invite every member of the group to reflect on one thing they are going to take away from the session. Some examples: a commitment they are making; a truth they want to remember; or an action they want to take. Invite group members to write down or otherwise record this “take away” (they could use the My Faith Life feature in the Rediscover: app) and refer to this daily in the next week.

Introductory notes:

God has a deep desire to be intimate with us. The story of God and man is a story of this desire. In the fullness of time, God sent his son, Jesus Christ into the world to offer himself as the Sacrificial Lamb for our salvation and for this intimacy to be perpetuated through the holy sacrifice of the Mass. The Mass is the center of our Catholic faith. The Mass is rich in meaning and powerful in the influence it can have on our lives. These are bold, life-changing truths. However, this familiarity of the Mass may sometimes lead us to feeling distant from it. Dr. Ed Sri’s book: A Biblical Walk Through the Mass is a beautiful illustration of the Mass and its meanings—why we do what we do at Mass and the profound significance for us that Jesus gives His very Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity to us out of his unwavering desire and love for us. We invite you to Rediscover the Mass and the love of Jesus Christ so intimately offered to us. We hope that through a greater understanding and devotion to the Eucharist you may not only grow in faith, but also fall more deeply in love with Jesus Christ who desires to be so near to us.

This book study guide offers questions that are both a study, personal reflection, and helpful for group discussion. We hope you enjoy this walk through the Mass!

Lesson 1

Theme:Introduction & Foundations of the Mass

Pages: 1-17

Handout:

Develop and distribute a simple one- sheet that outlines the discussion group schedule and includes any necessary contact information

Objectives:

Understanding that the Eucharist is a memorial of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross

Understanding that Jesus is wholly and entirely present in the Eucharist

Understanding that in Holy Communion Jesus enters our bodies and joins us together with him

Questions:

1. Share an example of a time when you felt “something deeper” (p.2) was going on in the Mass, even if you may not have fully understood what was taking place.

2. Like the woman on the plane, a lot of people don’t understand why we stand, sit and kneel during Mass, (p.2)--what does posture convey? How does your attitude change when you stand, sit and kneel? What is the role of ritual in our lives? Do you have a family ritual you can draw from?

3. God makes himself truly present to us through the Eucharist.? What does it tell you about Jesus and the Mass? What does it tell you about yourself and your relationship with God as you ponder this truth?

4. P. 9 states “Indeed, the body and blood of Jesus spoke of at the Last Supper is his body and blood that was sacrificed on Calvary, and this is what is made present at Mass.” It is not a metaphor or a reminder, but Jesus truly present. How does this affect the way you approach communion? How have you experienced sacrifice in your life? How does recognizing the Mass as a sacrifice change or add to your experience of the Mass?

5. Jesus—Emmanuel, “God with us”— stays with us in the Eucharist (p.11). How does spending time with someone start to “rub off” on you? Share your experience of Jesus rubbing off on you either from the Mass or Adoration. How does preparing to receive Holy Communion help you?Do you find it hard or easy to rest in the Lord after receiving Holy Communion?

6. People often argue that they can worship God on their own rather than go to Mass. How does the Catechism’s explanation of the Eucharist (p.13) contradict this mentality?

7. P. 14 says, “By nourishing ourselves with the Eucharistic body and blood of Christ, we are gradually transformed by his very life dwelling within us.” How have you experienced this transformation in your life?

Actions:

Try to spend time resting in Jesus after receiving Holy Communion at Mass.

Spend some time praying or simply being with Jesus near a tabernacle or in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

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A Biblical Walk Through the Mass Book Discussion Guide

Suggestions for your book discussion group time:

You could begin some sessions with Lectio Divina (see How to Pray a Gospel Reflection on the Program Support page of Rediscover-faith.org) to help group members learn meditation. Read the Sunday Gospel and sit for 3 minutes in silence, then have each person share something briefly that strikes them. Then sit for 3 more minutes in silence and allow whoever desires to do so to offer a prayer based on what is striking them.

Each week, give the group members a chance to share experiences from their actual time of prayer and Mass. Did they encounter blessings? Struggles? Movements of the heart?

At the end of each session allow for 5 minutes of silence and invite every member of the group to reflect on one thing they are going to take away from the session. Some examples: a commitment they are making; a truth they want to remember; or an action they want to take. Invite group members to write down or otherwise record this “take away” (they could use the My Faith Life feature in the Rediscover: app) and refer to this daily in the next week.

Introductory notes:

God has a deep desire to be intimate with us. The story of God and man is a story of this desire. In the fullness of time, God sent his son, Jesus Christ into the world to offer himself as the Sacrificial Lamb for our salvation and for this intimacy to be perpetuated through the holy sacrifice of the Mass. The Mass is the center of our Catholic faith. The Mass is rich in meaning and powerful in the influence it can have on our lives. These are bold, life-changing truths. However, this familiarity of the Mass may sometimes lead us to feeling distant from it. Dr. Ed Sri’s book: A Biblical Walk Through the Mass is a beautiful illustration of the Mass and its meanings—why we do what we do at Mass and the profound significance for us that Jesus gives His very Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity to us out of his unwavering desire and love for us. We invite you to Rediscover the Mass and the love of Jesus Christ so intimately offered to us. We hope that through a greater understanding and devotion to the Eucharist you may not only grow in faith, but also fall more deeply in love with Jesus Christ who desires to be so near to us.

This book study guide offers questions that are both a study, personal reflection, and helpful for group discussion. We hope you enjoy this walk through the Mass!

Lesson 2

Theme: The Introductory Rites

Pages: 17-49

Objectives:

Understand the sign of the cross

Understand that God is with us

Understand that we “confess” our sins at Mass and are absolved of venial sins through Penitential Act and Holy Communion through the Priest

Understand true mercy

Understand our need to praise God

Questions:

1. St. Cyril of Jerusalem says of the cross, “It is a powerful safeguard…for it is a grace from God, a badge of the faithful, and a terror to the devils…” (pp. 20,21). What is your experience of “praying” the sign of the cross instead of “making” the sign of the cross? How do you see it as a “grace, badge, and a terror?” P. 21 states, “A name mysteriously represents the essence of a person and carries the power of that person.” How will this influence the way you use the name of the Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

2. “The Lord be with you” expresses a profound truth: God is in fact with us. How should this greeting get us into the right frame of mind to celebrate Mass? “The Lord be with you” also indicates that God is calling us to a mission and to remain in Him. (p. 26) Sometimes we feel inadequate. Are there occasions when you felt inadequate to serve God? What reassurance does God being with you provide?

3. Why is confession of sins both during the Mass and in the Sacrament of Confession so important? How does focusing intently on our thoughts, words, actions, and omissions as sins help us move beyond them? Are there some sins that you “let slide” while others we seem to hold on to? Why do you think that is/is not? Are you able to let go of your sins once they have been forgiven?

4. When have you experienced true mercy from another person? What did you feel? What did you think of that person? P. 39 says, “ ‘A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise’ (Ps. 51:17). A sincerely sorrowful heart is irresistible to God.” Is there a time you particularly experienced this mercy?

5. The Mass shifts from contrition to joy very quickly with the singing of the Gloria. Why do you think this is? Scripture is full of praise to God yet God does not need our praise although he certainly desires our love. Why do you have a need to praise God? How does praising God help us in a culture that can be very focused on the self? How does including “Father” in the Gloria influence your image of God? (p. 44) Similarly, how does the summing up of Jesus’ mission in the Gloria prepare us to fully participate in Mass? (p. 46)

Actions:

Pick at least one part of the Introductory Rite and pray it well, with all your heart, during the Mass.

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Lesson 3

Theme: The Liturgy of the Word

Pages: 58-84

*Suggestion:Consider beginning with either the even or odd numbered questions, or preselect questions. There are many in this lesson.

Objectives:

Understand God speaks to us through Scripture

Understand that the Mass is a deeply biblical model of worship

Questions:

1.  Page 53 notes Scripture is "God's own speech."  When reading Scripture, or at Mass, have you ever had an experience that God was speaking to you?  What did you think and feel?

2.  How does the Church use Scripture to enhance our devotion in the Church's liturgical year (Advent, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter)?  What value is there that the entire Church reads the same readings together?

3.  How do you react/respond when you listen to the Old Testament (often the First Reading) at Mass?  What significance is the Old Testament to Jesus?  Why do you think the Psalm is referred to as “The Responsorial Psalm” (p. 61)? Are you able to see how all the readings are related?

4.  We show special reverence when we proclaim the Gospel.  Why do we do this for the Gospel and not for the other readings?  How do standing, singing Alleluia, the procession, candles and incense (in some liturgies) and making the 3-fold sign of the cross help you receive the Gospel?

5.  What is your response to the mentality that Catholics are not biblical?  How can you prepare yourself for Mass so that the Liturgy of the Word can have the greatest impact on you?

6.  Why are homilies given by an ordained minister and not an eloquent lay speaker?  Have boring homilies kept you from attending Mass or being engaged in Mass?  What are ideas to help you through this?

7.  How can reciting the Creed at Mass strengthen us for the culture in which we live (p.72)? What is the difference between believing something/someone and believing in something or someone (p.75)? What parts of your life are you not surrendering and how can reciting the Creed help you (p. 76)?

8.  How does intercessory prayer at Mass help us remember not only our own needs but those of the whole Church?  What do these prayers say about how the God and the Church views our needs and woundedness?

Actions:

Listen closely to the Scriptures and homily at Mass, and God speaking to you through them. Note what particular insights came to you and pray about them.

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Lesson 4

Theme: The Preparation of the Gifts & Preface

Pages: 85-101

Objectives:

Understand the Offertory

Understand that everything we have is a gift from God

Understand the purpose of gratitude

Questions:

1.  The Offertory transitions us from the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  The Church has been offering bread and wine since the Last Supper for the Eucharist.   Additional offerings (p. 85) were also offered in the early Church to signify offering one's very self.  What can you do during the presentation of the gifts to make an offering of all that you experience and have?  What would this imply?  What would you be offering?

2.  Everything we have and are is a gift from God.  This suggests we all have something to offer at Mass and during the offertory.  Why do we offer back to God the gifts he has given us? Have you ever held back in your offering to God?  Why do you think this was so?  What does the offertory say about our participation in the Mass and the idea of community?  How does making an offering help you to grow in sacrificial love (p. 88)?

3.  God does not need our gifts.  Name a time you offered something to someone, not because they needed it, but because you wanted to say thank you or grow in that relationship?  Pp. 89-92 discuss the priestly offerings of the gifts to God.  There are several prayers noted--which prayers or actions (mixing water and wine, hand washing, prayers over the offering) by the priest, or what biblical connections to sacrifice--did you find interesting? Who is offering the sacrifice at Mass?

4. P. 96 says, “In the Bible, the heart is the hidden center of the person from which one’s thoughts, emotions and actions originate. All intentions and commitments flow from the human heart. Therefore, when the priest at Mass says “Lift up your hearts,” he is summoning us to give our fullest attention to what is about to unfold.” But St. Cyril acknowledges that this “is difficult because we are fallen and weak.” (p. 97). What are some steps you can take to give God your full attention, especially during this part of Mass?

5.  Why is it "our duty and our salvation" to give God thanks as recited in the Preface of the Eucharistic prayer? Eucharist means "thanksgiving"--what does this indicate about the role of gratitude in our lives and at Mass?  Can we become saints without gratitude?  Speak of the impact of a grateful person you know.

Actions:

Offer something (a situation, trial, special blessing, etc.) and/or your total self (strengths, weaknesses, gifts, failings, family, friends, etc.) quietly during the Offertory.

Practice alertness and gratitude at Mass.

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Lesson 5

Theme: The Eucharistic Prayer

Pages: 102-121

*Suggestion: Consider

beginning with either the even or odd numbered questions, or preselect questions. There are many in this lesson.

Objectives:

Understand the communion of saints

Understand the power of praying in union with the Church

Understand the Eucharist as both a reality and mystery

Questions:

1. We sing with the angels who see God as he is during the Holy, Holy, Holy (The Sanctus). What does this say about the Mass and the communion of saints? How does kneeling at this point in the Mass enhance our worship?

2. In the epiclesis (invocation), the priest invokes the Holy Spirit by asking the Father to send the Holy Spirit upon the gifts of bread and wine so they will become the Body and Blood of Christ. In the second epiclesis are communal petitions for the Church. What is the significance of the Eucharist and Church united in these prayers?

3. The Words of Institution “Take this all of you and eat of it for this is my Body…given up for you…do this in memory of me.” The Passover meal was a memorial, meaning to “re-live,” and so too the Eucharist. Jesus commands his apostles to celebrate the New Passover with his body and blood. How is reliving different from recalling liturgically and biblically (p. 108)?

4. Jesus was sacrificed for our sin and established the new and eternal covenant. We are present and Jesus is present, just as he was Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday—past and present are brought together. How do the Liturgy and Scriptures aid us in our faith in this Mystery of Faith? How does the Church’s recognition that the Eucharist is real and also a mystery help you?

5. Jesus came not only to show us how to live, but to offer himself in sacrifice. Why do think some shy away from Jesus being one who offered himself in sacrifice? What would this indicate about our culture or us?

6. The anamnesis or memorial prayers is where the Church tells of Christ’s sacrifice and again offers thanks and petitions on behalf of the people in union with the Sacrifice. We respond with a great “Amen!” Why is this “Amen” so great? When we respond “Amen” what are we saying?

Actions:

Enter into one part of the Eucharistic prayer more deeply at Mass.

Re-read the biblical interpretations of sacrifice, the Passover, and Jesus’ sacrifice as the Lamb of God pgs. 108-112.

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Lesson 6

Theme: Communion & Concluding Rites

Pages: 122-148

Objectives:

Understand the reception of Holy Communion

Identify Jesus as the Lamb of God as it relates to suffering

Appreciate the mission attached to the Mass

Questions:

1. Why is it important to seek peace with others before receiving Holy Communion? How does the sign of peace and Lord’s Prayer help us prepare to receive Holy Communion? How does being in right relationship in all your relationships—family, friends, colleagues, the Church, and Jesus—help you to be at peace?

2. The Lamb of God is identified as the “Suffering Servant” sacrificed for us (p.136). How can our sufferings help us connect more deeply to Jesus and the mysteries of the Mass? How do you offer your sufferings? What is your reaction to suffering? Do you believe suffering has a role to play in your own salvation? Why?

3. Share your remembrances of your child’s First Holy Communion or your own—feelings, pride, nervousness joy, etc. Why do the little girls typically wear white dresses and the boys dress in suits? In what way does the image of a wedding feast elevate your insights on the Eucharist? What does this say about the intimacy of Holy Communion?

4. Mary was perfectly disposed to receive Jesus into her womb. How do you feel about your “worthiness” to receive our Lord in Holy Communion? How does the prayer “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed” help you prepare to receive Jesus? What role does the Sacrament of Confession play in your reception of Holy Communion?

5. The Mass, missa or sending forth, has a mission attached to it. We are called or sent by God on mission. P. 148 says, “The more deeply the Eucharist unites us to Jesus, the more we will radiate his life and his love in the world around us. The closing line of the liturgy, therefore, is not an aimless dismissal. It is a dismissal with a mission.” What is God sending you forth to do and be? At home, school, workplace, community? Why is being called and sent on a mission important to us and our sense of purpose? Why is it important to God?

Actions:

Take time to prepare to receive Holy Communion. Go to Confession before Holy Communion sometime this month. Receive the “sending forth” with joy and a sense of purpose as called uniquely by God.

Our theme for year 2 is PRAYERRediscover-faith.org archspm.org

Upcoming FREE events in early 2014. No registration necessary!

Two inspiring talks that highlight the beauty of prayer and offer insight on how to pray, gathered from two-thousand years of Church experience.  Discover how your life can change and grow in new and powerful ways by building a personal friendship with Jesus Christ.

February 3 & 10 – Holy Name of Jesus, WayzataFebruary 4 & 11 – St. John Neumann, EaganFebruary 24 & March 3 – Our Lady of Grace, EdinaFebruary 25 & March 4 – St. John the Baptist, New Brighton

All Rediscover: faith 2014 Speakers Series talks begin at 7 p.m. and run 90 minutes, including hospitality time. These evenings are a unique opportunity to experience Cor Jesu, meaning "Heart of Jesus", as we worship Christ in community with the Church through Eucharistic adoration, confession, praise, benediction and fellowship. Attendees are invited to participate in whatever manner is most comfortable for them.

March 11 – Cathedral of Saint Paul, Saint PaulMarch 25 – St. Hubert, Chanhassen April 8 – All Saints, LakevilleAll Rediscover: prayer evenings begin at 7 p.m. and end around 9 p.m.

Check out Rediscover-faith.org for details on any of the above events!

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Discussion guides and other support materials available on the Rediscover: Catholic Book Club page of Rediscover-faith.org.

SAVE THE DATE for the 2014 Rediscover: Catholic Celebration Friday evening and Saturday October 3&4, 2014 at the Minneapolis Convention Center

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Spring 2014: A Biblical Walk through The Mass by Edward Sri

Discussion guide available by March 1

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