The Mass of All Ages

The church is not something subjective that changes according to our likes or dislikes, sentiments or tastes.
    The history of the church and the Mass are documented in the Bible and in thousands of writings throughout centuries. We are going to review an example from the year 150 which describes how the first Christians celebrated Mass. It is identical to how we celebrate it today.
    The father of St. Justin Martyr was a disciple of the 12 apostles, and his son became a great apologist. In the year 150, he wrote two apologies to the emperor of Rome in which he described what Christians believe and how Christians celebrate that belief in accordance with what we received from the apostles. 
    In his first apology, we find the perfect description of the celebration of the Mass in antiquity. It is exactly the same in every way as the CORPUS CHRISTI
June 22, 2014
Gospel of John 6:51-58
Roman Catholic celebration of the Mass today: 
    “And this food is called among us ‘the Eucharist,’ of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins and unto regeneration.” – Baptism
    “For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; we have been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.” – Real presence of Christ, not a symbol
    “For the apostles, in the memoirs or Gospels which they composed, have delivered unto us what was enjoined on them – that Jesus took bread, gave thanks and said, ‘This do in remembrance of me, this is my body. In the same manner, having taken the cup and giving thanks, he said, ‘This is my blood’ and gave it to them alone. From that day on, we have always celebrated the remembrance of these things. – Consecration
    “On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.
The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read.” – Liturgy of the Word
    “When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.” – Homily
    “Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves … and for all others.” – Prayer of the Faithful
    “When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.” – 
Sign of Peace
    “Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.” – The Offerings
“He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe.  
When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying:  ‘Amen.’” – Eucharistic Prayer
    “When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the ‘eucharisted’ bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.
    “And they who are well to do and willing give what each thinks fit (the collection); and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, find themselves in need.” – St. Justin Martyr
    (Father Luis Henao of the Hispanic Apostolate will offer his Word to Life Spanish column in English when space allows.)