Christ is present in the Eucharistic Assembly of the Church, that is, in the Holy Mass.
You are eager to meet someone, who you like very much, who is kind to you. Colleagues want to be together, organize trips together, work or some party. They share a bond of friendship and camaraderie.
In a good, loving family, everyone is happy to stay together : at a shared table during meals, during work, while resting. They share a family bond.
Every Sunday you go to Mass. to his church. You meet different people. Some you know, these are your colleagues, female friends, friends, priest, who teaches you. You don't know the others, they are strangers to you. Do they all come just for that, to meet friends ?
Christ is present in the gathered People of God
After the people gathered, while singing at the entrance, the priest and the altar boys approach the altar. After singing for the entrance, the priest, facing the people, greets them : "God be with you". This greeting means, that Jesus Christ is already present in the gathered People of God. Christ's promise tells us this : "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them " (Mt 18, 20). Christ makes his presence among us dependent on ourselves. He is among us, as we gather in his name, around one altar.
From apostolic times until today, Christians gather around the altar in the name of Christ, every Sunday and on public holidays. They also gather on weekdays. That is why the Church is called from the beginning "the congregation", in Greek "Ekklesia".
Congregated Christians listen to the word of God, they pray and thank God for redemption, which they gained in Jesus Christ. Hence they call their congregation "thanksgiving", in Greek "Eucharistia".
Now you know, that Christians gather together for Mass., because they meet Christ present in the People of God. Do you remember that, when you go to Mass. ?
Christ is present in the person of the celebrating priest
The Church is the Body of Christ, and Christ is his Head. This is made manifest in the Eucharistic assembly, chaired by a bishop or his associate - a priest. Without it, the Eucharist could not be celebrated. He is, by Christ's will, the head of the Eucharistic Assembly. For a bishop or a priest, who presides over the Eucharistic Assembly, it is an instrument and sign of Christ, sent by the Father. Christ is present in it as High Priest and Head of the Church. Bishop or priest, speaking on behalf of Christ, we call the celebrant. Therefore, when he appears among the gathered people in the church, everyone gets up, to recognize and honor Christ, the High Priest, who is present in him. The priest presides over our prayer, prays on our behalf, worships God and thanks Him for redemption, and above all, through the power of Christ, he transforms.
Do you know, that in the Eucharistic assembly we meet Christ, present in the priest. Whom, then, you are to see in the person of the priest standing at the sacrificial table ?
Christ is present in the word of God
The Word of God makes up the Church. Jesus Christ is present in this word. He himself speaks to us, when the bishop, priest, a deacon or reader reads the word of God in the Eucharistic assembly. When the Scriptures are read in the church, we hear Christ himself. The Church will never stop doing this. The celebrant prays before reading the Gospel, and after reading it, he kisses the book. This kiss is an expression of respect for Christ present in God's word. The responses of the faithful after each reading express their deep faith and respect for the word of God, in which Christ calls us.
Now you know, that in the word of God, read at the Eucharistic Assembly, Christ himself is present. So how do you listen to the word of God, in which Christ is present ?
Christ is present under the appearances of bread and wine
In the sacrifice of the Mass. Christ is present most perfectly under the species of bread and wine. We call these characters Eucharistic. This presence is realized through the power of Christ's words : "This is my body", "This is the cup of my blood". These words are spoken by a bishop or priest, who presides over the Eucharistic Assembly. The exalted Christ is present with his divinity and humanity under the species of bread and wine. It's been around for so long, as long as these characters exist.
The Blessed Sacrament is kept outside the Eucharistic Congregation in the tabernacle. It is intended primarily for the sick and those who are absent from Mass. In addition, Christians visit Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, adoring, that is, glorifying Him. They do it with the sacrifice of Christ in mind and combine it with the desire to be united with him in the sacrificial banquet..
You do, that Jesus Christ is present under the appearances of bread and wine. How do you venerate the Blessed Sacrament, when you are present at Mass, at the moment of transubstantiation and Holy Communion. and when you enter church for prayer ?
Our living faith in Christ and in His presence among us - a sign to unbelievers
God remains with us. This is due to the manifold presence of Christ among us. This is how the Old Testament prophecy of God's being with his people is fully realized (Emmanuel = God with us). He is present in the Eucharistic Assembly. I meet him there.
My presence at Holy Mass. it also has an apostolic significance, that is missionary. Many people do not know Christ. It does not know about His presence among us. For all of them, the Church in common prayer is a sign of Christ's presence, in which they can be saved.
Believers gathered at the Mass. they show those who are wandering and doubting the way to encounter Christ.
Do you realize this great responsibility ? Is the behavior at Mass. it is a sign of your faith in Christ's presence ?
■ Think:
1. What kinds of presence do you know of Christ among your people? ?
2. Which of these presences is the most perfect ?
3. For whom the Blessed Sacrament is kept ?
4. What does the word "Eucharist" mean ?
5. How do you understand the word "Ekklesia" ?
6. What does it mean, that the Holy Mass. it has an apostolic significance, that is missionary ?
■ Remember:
70. Christ "is present in the sacrifice of the Mass: in the person of the person making the clearing… especially under the Eucharistic species… in your word… and finally, when the Church prays and sings the psalms'5 (KL 7).
■ Task :
Think and write, how Christians should attend Mass, that they may be a sign to unbelievers.