Level 7, Lesson Plan 17, Chapters 21, 22, & 23: "The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist", "The Eucharistic Sacrifice" & "The Eucharist in Our Lives"

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1 Level 7, Lesson Plan 17, Chapters 21, 22, & 23: "The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist", "The Eucharistic Sacrifice" & "The Eucharist in Our Lives" Dinner (6:00-6:30) Aim: Jesus is the Bread of Life, food for our soul. Materials: Bibles, rosaries, Music Issue, Prayer handout, evaluations, pencils Key Words (Vocabulary) (the following key words are defined below in the message section of the lesson plan): sign of the Holy Eucharist, transubstantiation, Mystery of Faith, Real Presence, tabernacle, sacrilege, words of Consecration, Sacrifice of the Mass, Eucharistic fast, monstrance, Host, Benediction Explanation 1. Opening Prayer, Scripture Reading, and Key Words (Matt) (6:30-6:35 PM) Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have sent your Son to seek and find us in all our suffering and to set us free. We thank and praise you for the gift of His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. Help us to grow in love of the Eucharist and to better understand this Mystery of Faith. Through frequent and worthy reception of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ, may we grow in holiness and in love for you and for all those whose lives we touch. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 11: Activity (Lance and Fr. Radloff) (6:35-6:45 PM) Watch the scene from the movie "Passion of Christ" where Jesus establishes the Eucharist at the Last Supper. 3. "Bread of Life" (Fr. Radloff) (6:45-6:48 PM) Belief in the Holy Eucharist is unique to Catholics (including Eastern Rite Catholics) and Orthodox Christians. The Holy Eucharist is also referred to as the Mystery of Faith. This title is used at every Mass immediately after the Consecration: "Let us proclaim the Mystery of Faith." The Eucharist is our greatest treasure in the Church---it is Jesus truly present among us. We often fail to recognize the significance of this mystery; if we did we would surely stand in awe of God. Read or summarize the bread of life discourse (John 6:35-69). Many of Christ's disciples left him at the end of this exchange. Jesus did not chase after them saying, "Wait! I'm just talking figuratively---the Bread of Life is a symbol!" In fact, Jesus let the disciples leave and he was saddened. We know that Jesus is the Bread of Life by means of the Eucharist---the sacrament which gives us Jesus' Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, really and truly present, as food for our soul.

2 4. "The Eucharist" (Fr. Radloff) (6:48-6:52 PM) Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper. Why do you think Jesus gave us the gift of himself in the Eucharist? How do we know that Jesus has the power to change bread and wine into his Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity? (Jesus demonstrated his power to change substance when he miraculously changed water into wine at the wedding feat at Cana). How do we know that Jesus performed the miracle of the Eucharist at the Last Supper? (St. Matthew, an eyewitness of the event, records it in his Gospel (Mt 26:26-28). The priest saying the words of Consecration over the gifts of bread and wine is the sign of the Holy Eucharist. Matter: bread and wine (mixed with water) Form: "This is my body," and "This is the cup of my Blood." These are the words of Consecration. By these words they are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Who is the Minister of the Sacrament of the Eucharist? (An ordained priest is the minister of the Eucharist.) Jesus works through his minister in the sacraments. We can say that the priest acts in persona Christi (in the person of Christ). He takes bread and wine and uses the exact words of Jesus. Jesus works through the priest by the powers given to him at his ordination and effects the change of bread and wine into his Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. 5. "Mystery" (Fr. Radloff) (6:52-6:55 PM) The word transubstantiation is what we use to describe the changing of bread and wine into the very Body and Blood of Christ. Two miracles occur: The substances of bread (Host: the round wafer of bread used at Mass) and wine are changed into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. The appearance of bread and wine remain, even though the change has taken place. What is meant by Real Presence? Jesus' Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity are really and truly present in the consecrated Hosts (alone) and in the consecrated wine (alone)---just as Jesus was present when he walked the earth 2000 years ago. Jesus is present sacramentally and tangibly here and now on our altars, in our tabernacles---in the Eucharist. (The tabernacle is the special, solid and immovable container, often adorned with symbols of Jesus, in which the Blessed Sacrament is kept.) 6. "Effects of the Eucharist" (Matt) (6:55-6:57 PM) Every person who encountered Jesus in the Bible was transformed. Think of the people Jesus healed and converted and how he touched their lives (lepers, the blind man, Simon's sick mother-in-law, the paralytic, the possessed son, the apostles, even the rich young man who went away sad). We, too, encounter Jesus in the Eucharist. He effects change within us. How much

3 we receive from the sacrament is determined by our disposition. What are the effects of receiving Holy Communion? We receive sanctifying and sacramental grace. Venial sins are forgiven (we are given the grace to overcome our sins and avoid mortal sins). We are united with Jesus Christ, experience an increase of his life in us (grace), and deepen our relationship with Him. We are united with the entire Mystical Body of Christ (the Church). We are given an increase in love for the poor. We pray for the unity of all Christians. We pray that Jesus will come again in glory (at the end of time). We anticipate heaven (where we will be united eternally with Christ) and receive a pledge of eternal glory. 7. "The Mass" (Matt) (6:57-7:02 PM) The Eucharist is a "remembrance" of Christ, but in this instance, "remembrance" means "to make present." This occurs through the Mass. The Mass is both a meal and a sacrifice. However, Jesus is not sacrificed over and over again at every Mass. He died once and for all on the Cross at Calvary. This sacrifice is made present on the altar at Mass in an unbloody manner. Every sacrifice has a priest, a victim, and an altar. Jesus is the priest and the victim both on calvary and at Mass. The altar of the Cross, with its bloody manner of the Sacrifice, is transformed to the altar of the Church with the unbloody manner of the Sacrifice. It is the very same Sacrifice: Jesus, the victim, offered by Jesus, the priest, to the Father, in reparation for our sins. Through the Mass, we are able to be at the Last Supper, when Jesus offers up his Body and Blood in anticipation of the Cross and invites us to share in his Body and Blood. We are present under the Cross, as Jesus lays down his life for us. We are present at the Resurrection, as victory is won and the pledge of eternal life is given. The Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest worship which the Church gives to God. Through the priest, Christ offers himself to the Father for our sins. At the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest lifts up the consecrated Host and chalice showing that he is offering Christ up to God in sacrifice. Participating in Mass at the sacrifice of Christ provides a great grace. We can offer our sufferings and all our works, joys, and sorrows to Jesus on the Cross. We can unite ourselves to Christ, who offers himself to the Father, so that we can become a pleasing offering to God the Father as well. We are consecrated to God by telling him to do with us as he wills, and as a result he transforms us and, through us, the world. Ways to prepare for Mass: Regular confession. Reading the Scripture passages ahead of time.

4 Go to church a few minutes early and ask Mary to help you pray the Mass well (with faith, hope, and love). Prepare physically by fasting so that we will be hungry for God. Dress well for our Lord. Doing so helps us remember how important it is and helps us to behave properly and focus on what is really happening. Do not rush out of the church after Mass. Spend a few minutes in private prayer with Jesus. 8. "Source and Summit" (Matt) (7:02-7:03 PM) The Eucharist is not only central to our belief system, but also the source of our grace and salvation. When we receive Holy Communion, Jesus remains physically present in us. During this time, we are united with Christ in the most intimate way. We should be deeply united with Christ in prayer. We should surrender ourselves to him, offering our love. Roman rite Catholics have a special Eucharistic devotion called Benediction. It consists of hymns, readings from the Bible, and the blessing of the people with the Holy Eucharist. It is a way of worshiping God and affirming our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. During Benediction (and exposition), the Consecrated Host is placed in a sacred vessel called the monstrance. 9. "Worthy Reception" (Matt) (7:03-7:05 PM) The steps to a worthy reception of Holy Communion: Dress appropriately. Be in a state of grace (free from mortal sin). To receive Communion with a mortal sin is one of the worst offenses against the Lord; it is called a sacrilege and must be confessed as soon as possible. A sacrilege is a serious mistreatment of people, places or things that have been consecrated to God. If we have committed venial sins, we should ask forgiveness of them during the penitential rite. (When we receive Communion, our venial sins are forgiven and we are protected from future mortal sins.) Refrain from food or drink (water and medicine are permitted) for one hour before receiving Holy Communion as a sacrifice to honor our Lord. This is called the Eucharistic fast. We should hunger for our heavenly food. When we go forward for Communion, we must know whom we are about to receive. We should show a sign of reverence, such as a bow, before receiving our Lord. This is to demonstrate that we recognize Jesus in the Eucharist. Receive our Lord reverently (on the tongue or in the hand) and unite ourselves to him. 10. Evaluation (Matt) (7:05-7:10 PM) (Questions from the Diocesan Confirmation Question list are indicated by (CF#).

5 1. (CF #35) God is present in a special way within the church building in the tabernacle. 2. (CF #36) In Holy Communion we receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. 3. (CF #37) The Consecrated Host was once a piece of bread. True or False 4. (CF#38) A sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as person, things, or places consecrated to God. True or False 5. (CF #39) Who offered the first Mass? Jesus Christ 6. (CF #40) When was the first Mass offered? at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, the night before Jesus died 7. (CF #41) At the Sacrifice of the Mass, the bread and wine are change into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus when the priest repeats the words of Consecration spoken at the Last Supper. In this way the sacrifice on the cross that Jesus offered on Calvary is made present again so that we can join in offering it to the Father and receive its benefits. 8. (CF #60) What kind of sin would it be to receive Holy Communion or the Sacrament of Confirmation in the state of mortal sin? a sacrilege Write one or more petitions to pray during our Intercessory Prayers. For We pray to the Lord. 11. Prayer in the Church (Fr. Radloff) (7:10-7:30 pm) (while Father vests) Dessert Exposition Hymn: Father I adore you Intercessory Prayers Divine Mercy Chaplet Hymn: Sanctuary Benediction Divine Praises Hymn: "Your Grace is Enough" (#632 in Music Issue)