The Church prepares herself for the Eucharist through active love
You are not alone. You live in a family. You have parents, sister, brother. Or maybe your grandmother lives with you, aunt or someone else. You also go to school. You have friends, friends.
Idea, when home, you feel best in family or at school, when you are satisfied. Certainly then, when at home one thinks of one another, they care, feel responsible for the entire family. This responsibility should exist among classmates, in a sports team, everywhere, where people have something in common. And in the church ? In the Eucharistic Assembly ?
The apostle Paul calls Christians to love in action
Read carefully the excerpt from St.. Paul to the Corinthians. Pay attention to it, what the Apostle requires of the people, who take part in the Lord's Supper - in the Eucharist. "Thus, when you come together, you do not eat the Lord's Supper. Everyone starts eating their own food beforehand, it happens anyway, that one is hungry, while the other drunk. Don't you have houses, to eat and drink there ? Do you want to insult God's congregation and put them to shame, who have nothing ? What can I tell you ? Will I praise you ? No, for that I do not praise you ! For I received this from the Lord, what I passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus tonight, when it was released, He took the bread, and having given thanks, broke it, and said it: «This is my body for you (issued). Do this in remembrance of me ». Similarly, after supper, took the cup, saying: «This cup is the New Covenant in my blood. Do it, how many times will you drink, in memory of me »… For whenever you eat this bread or drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death, until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, he will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
Let a man, therefore, take care of himself, eating this bread and drinking from this cup. For whoever eats and drinks disregarding the body? (Yours), he eats and drinks judgment on himself " (1 Disease 11, 20-29).
In the Corinthian community with the Eucharist there was a fraternal feast called "Agape". It was on agape that the division between the poor and the rich was blatantly marked. This abuse condemns St.. Paul.
Eating the Lord's Evening Meal Without Thinking About "The Body of Christ", it's about the church, The Apostle considers it unworthy, because you cannot be united with Christ, without becoming united with the brothers.
The apostle demands, would you, who participate in the Eucharist, they cared for each other, that they would be interested in their brothers and feel responsible for the community of Christ, that is, for the Christian community. Only then will the faithful be properly prepared to eat the body and blood of Christ, when they show love in deed in their lives
neighbor, they care for the brothers, who are the body of Christ.
The love of Christians in the apostolic community
Christ's love flowing from the Eucharist, which St.. Paul, it manifested itself in the apostolic community in many ways.
When Christians in Antioch heard of famine threatening their brothers in Judea, They decided… that everyone will help if they can… They did so too, sending alms to the elders through Barnabas and Paul " (Dz 11, 29-30). Such acts were often exhorted by St.. Paul, recommending : “On the first day of the week, let each of you save something according to this, what he considers appropriate…” (1 Disease 16, 2). These matters were dealt with by deacons who also served at the Eucharist.
The servants of the altar were also cared for. Paul reminds the Corinthians, that it is up to them to maintain these, who are totally engrossed in preaching the Gospel and serving the altar, so that they cannot work. He referred to the words of Christ, who said : "The worker is worth his food" (Mt 10, 10). An expression of true care and a sense of responsibility for the community was the faithful bringing gifts in nature (bread, wine, oil, wax, canvas). These gifts were offered during the celebration of the Eucharist for the needs of the Church and the poor. True and universal love was also expressed in mutual prayer. Such prayers were asked by the Romans of St.. Paul : “So I ask you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, that you would support me with your prayers for me to God " (Rz 15, 30). He also called to pray for others : “So I recommend first and foremost, by requests, prayers, common prayers, thanksgiving was performed for all the people : for kings and for all rulers…” (1 Tm 2, 1-2).
Thus, the active love and mutual responsibility of the early Christians were revealed in the Eucharistic assembly.
Love for the brothers in the Church today
Shared feasts called agapami - fraternal feasts, disappeared in later centuries. They were replaced by a procession with offerings in kind. The Church expressed it this way, that true preparation for the Eucharistic Sacrifice is done in real and active love.
From the 7th century on, money began to be deposited instead of gifts in kind. This is still the case today. In some of our churches there is a custom called. "Rounds" around the altar. For donating money - on the "tray", you buy everything, what is needed for God's service in a given church. Part of the money goes to the poor and needy in the parish, to support the old and the sick.
From the spirit of love, flowing from the Eucharist, various works of mercy begin. And yes : In parishes, the parish priest very often entrusts the care of the sick to religious sisters or lay people. These people bring medicines to the sick, they look after the children, single people and fulfill other ministries of the active love of Christ. Currently, the Church also organizes special days to help the poor and those in need. For this purpose, the so-called. "A week of mercy", and during the celebration of the Eucharist gifts are collected for the poorest. On the occasion of Christmas and Easter, the faithful, in a sense of community with the parish, they place their gifts at the altar. Faithful, participating in the Eucharist, they make sacrifices for the needy brothers, on the starving in the world. We also express our concern for our brothers in the Prayer of the Faithful.
How will I answer God ?
I belong to the community of Christ's Church - to one family of God. I participate in the Eucharistic Assembly every Sunday. I accept the Body and Blood of Christ. How I participate in the rites of preparing the gifts ? How will I show active love to my neighbor ? During the Prayer of the Faithful and the rites of preparing the gifts, do I remember the needs of my brothers in Christ? ?
The words of the song, which is sung frequently during the rite of preparing the gifts, let them make you aware of your responsibility.
“Where is mutual love and goodness, tam
you will find a living God.
Christ's love has brought us together,
Let us rejoice in him and be glad.
Where's the love…
Let us sincerely love God.
Let us love one another from a pure heart.
Where's the love…
Since we all gather here,
Let's beware of this, what separates us.
Where's the love…
Let all anger and strife cease,
And let Christ be in our midst. Where is love. "
■ Pomyśl:
1. Do czego nawołuje św. Paul of the Faithful, when they celebrate the Eucharist ?
2. Jak się wyrażała miłość chrześcijańska w czasach apostolskich ?
3. Co przynosili wierni jako dary ofiarne w pierwszych wiekach chrześcijaństwa ? - And what are we bringing today ?
4. Jak dzisiaj Kościół troszczy się o potrzebujących ?
5. Jakie przeznaczenie ma „taca” zbierana podczas Mszy św. ?
6. W jaki sposób możesz najlepiej przygotować się do godnego uczestnictwa w Eucharystii ?
7. Whence, the source from which all works of goodness and mercy flow in the Church ?
■ Remember:
73. W jaki sposób Kościół przygotowuje się do składania Ofiary eucharystycznej ?
The Church prepares herself to offer the Eucharistic Sacrifice primarily through active charity and shared responsibility, expressed in the rites of preparing the gifts.
74. Co to jest Modlitwa wiernych ?
It is the prayer of the Eucharistic Assembly for the intention of the universal Church, for the parish and individual people.
■ Task :
Arrange the Prayer of the Faithful, taking into account recent events in the world and in your immediate vicinity.