Catechism: Holy Mass foretaste of that heavenly liturgy
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS

The other day, on EWTN’s On Demand programs, I found a wonderful discussion between Dr. Scott Hahn and Mike Aquilina on: “The Mass is the source and summit of the Christian life.” Scott Hahn and Mike Aquilina explore the biblical relationship between the Holy Mass and the Book of Revelation. Found in the segment, “The Lamb’s Supper.” Scott Hahn mentioned two paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition (1) (CCC), #1090 and #1137. Scott is the author of the book, "The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth."(2)  It was given to me as a Christmas gift by my Parish, and I am re-reading it. I strongly recommend this book.

Please read and study these paragraphs. They are very important. They spell out what a wonderful gift the Holy Mass really is, given to us by Jesus Christ Himself. How could we ever have doubted the Holy Eucharist?

I often look at this website if I need the text of a paragraph to reflect on: https://scborromeo2.org/catechism-of-the-catholic-church. The CCC is published by the Vatican: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Read the CCC. It is a great authentic reference to the teachings of the Catholic Church. It is long but what you learn is inspiring and educational. I believe it is a requirement to foster a close spiritual life with the Lord.

The CCC is good reading for Lent, God bless,

Fred Schaeffer, OFS

2/17/2024 (amended); file name: Catechism Discussion.

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1090 "In the earthly liturgy we share in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the Holy City of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle. With all the warriors of the heavenly army we sing a hymn of glory to the Lord; venerating the memory of the saints, we hope for some part and fellowship with them; we eagerly await the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, until he, our life, shall appear and we too will appear with him in glory."

1137 The book of Revelation of St. John, read in the Church's liturgy, first reveals to us, "A throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne": "the Lord God." It then shows the Lamb, "standing, as though it had been slain": Christ crucified and risen, the one high priest of the true sanctuary, the same one "who offers and is offered, who gives and is given." Finally it presents "the river of the water of life . . . flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb," one of most beautiful symbols of the Holy Spirit.

 References

(1)  "Cathechism of the Catholic Church" - Latin text copyright (c) Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Citta del Vaticano 1993 

(2) "The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth," by Scott Hahn, 1999. Random House/Doubleday, 174 pgs.