The Lamb’s Supper, Lesson 1.4

The Lamb's Supper: The Bible and the Mass

Lesson One: A Biblical Introduction to the Mass

Lesson Objectives

  1. To understand basic Catholic beliefs about the relationship between the Bible and the Liturgy.
  2. To understand the biblical basis for the Mass.
  3. To understand how in the Mass, the written text of the Bible becomes Living Word.

IV. Study Questions

1. What we say and hear in the Mass comes to us from the Bible. Give some examples.
2. What we "do" in the Mass, we do because it was done in the Bible. Give some examples.
3. Why is the Bible alone able to give the Mass its life-transforming power?
4. Name some of the details about the Last Supper that are similar in Matthew, Mark, Luke and Paul.
5. What evidence do we have that the "two-part" structure of the Mass and the use of the Old Testament in the Liturgy comes from Jesus?

For prayer and reflection:
  • Does your heart "burn within you" as you hear the Scriptures proclaimed in Mass?
    Try preparing for Sunday Mass by reading and praying over the Scriptures to be proclaimed that day. As you read, try to understand how the promises of the Old Testament reading are fulfilled in the Gospel reading.
  • Do you reflect on the biblical basis of the Mass?
    Try reading and praying over the biblical passages associated with the Introductory Rite of the Mass (for example Matthew 18:20; 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 13:14; Ephesians 1:2;1:13; 2 Timothy 2:19; 4:22; Exodus 3:12; Luke 1:28; Luke 18:13,38,39; Psalm 51:1; Baruch 3:2). See if this deepens your appreciation and your worship.

    • Begin Lesson 2

    Lesson Outline

    1. Finding the Bible in the Mass
      1. The Biblical Way We Worship
      2. Words of Spirit and Life
    2. Finding the Mass in the Bible
      1. Tradition Received From the Lord
      2. In the Upper Room
      3. Bread of Life, True Vine
      4. The Eucharist According to the Scriptures
    3. From the Bible to the Mass
      1. Hearing the Apostles, Breaking the Bread
      2. Hearing is Believing
      3. Salvation History and Covenants
      4. Back to Mass
    4. Discussion Questions

    Other Lessons

    • Lesson One: A Biblical Introduction to the Mass
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. 1. To understand basic Catholic beliefs about the relationship between the Bible and the Liturgy.
      2. To understand the biblical basis for the Mass.
      3. To understand how in the Mass, the written text of the Bible becomes Living Word.

      Begin Lesson One

    • Lesson Two: Given for You - The Old Testament Story of Sacrifice
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. To understand the biblical background to the Penitential Rite and the Gloria in the Mass.
      2. To understand how God is worshipped in the Old Testament.
      3. To understand the biblical notion of sacrifice as it is presented in the Old Testament.

      Begin Lesson Two

    • Lesson Three: One Sacrifice for All Time
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. To understand the death of Jesus Christ on the cross as a sacrifice.
      2. To see the parallels between the Old Testament sacrifices and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
      3. To understand how that sacrifice is re-presented to us in the Mass.

      Begin Lesson Three

    • Lesson Four: Fulfilled in Your Hearing: The Liturgy of the Word
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. To understand Scripture as the living Word of God.
      2. To understand the place of Scripture at the center of the liturgy.
      3. To see Scripture as an encounter with Christ, the living Word of God.
      4. To see how the Liturgy of the Word prepares us for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

      Begin Lesson Four

    • Lesson Five: Heaven On Earth: The Liturgy of the Eucharist
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. To understand the deep biblical foundations for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
      2. To see how the Book of Revelation describes the liturgy of heaven.
      3. To understand how the Mass we celebrate on earth is a participation in the liturgy of heaven.

      Begin Lesson Five

    • Lesson Six: Memory and Presence: Communion as the Coming of Christ
      • Lesson Objectives
      1. To understand the deep biblical foundations of Jesus’ command that the Eucharist be celebrated “in memory of Me.”
      2. To see how Scripture portrays Jesus as the Passover Lamb and how that portrayal is reflected in the Mass.
      3. To understand the Eucharist as parousia, the “coming” of Christ, and as the “daily bread” we pray for in the Our Father.

      Begin Lesson Six