My Reflections on the Eucharist - SIMON SUNDE OLE METI, 11097T

THE LORD’S DAY, apostolic letter Dies Domini of the Holy Father john Paul II

Sunday: The Day of the Eucharistic assembly

In the apostolic letter, the Lord’s Day, Pope John Paul II gives us an historical evolvement or the coming up of the day of the lord that constitutes the Eucharistic assembly. The movement from the Jewish tradition of the Sabbath to the day of the lord. The Sabbath was a day of rest for the Jewish people. This is the day that has come to be known as Sunday or the day of the lord by the Christian today. This gives us a movement from the Sabbath day to the first day. The day of “rest” the day on which Christian take their time to worship and adore the lord. The day of rest is not only rest but rest in the lord.                                

Sunday is not only a remembrance of the past; it is a celebration of the living presence of the risen lord in the midst of his people. It is important therefore that the Disciples of Christ come together on this day, as a church, as people called together by the risen lord, Christ himself.

Eucharist is the “fountain-head” of the Eucharistic feeds and form the church (1cor 10:17). The mystery of the church is savored, proclaimed and lived supremely in the Eucharist. This is realized in every Eucharistic celebration. “The Sunday of the lord’s day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the church’s life.” At Sunday Christian relived the apostle experienced of Christ. They gather to receive Christ blessings (Jn 20:29), to break the bread. The Eucharist by its nature is the epiphany of the church. This is experienced when the people of God gather with its pastors. It is a celebration on the day Christ conquered death and gave us a share in his immortal life. Sunday Eucharistic celebration expresses its ecclesial dimension. The mystery of the church becomes concretely present and creating a communion with the universal church in the world. The unity of the people of God, which unite all until love is brought to its perfection.

Thus Sunday becomes the day of the church, “to foster the sense of the church community, which nourished and expressed in a particular way by the community celebration on Sunday…” the Sunday assembly is the privilege place of unity. Thus the church gathers “by” and “in” the unity of the father, son and Holy Spirit.

At Sunday masses in parishes are “Eucharistic communities.” Small masses for groups are not encouraged on Sunday s. this reminds us also of the pilgrimage we are in, the pilgrimage and eschatological character of the people of God’s. Getting ready, (Rev 21:2).

Sunday is a day of hope. To share the Lord’s Supper is to anticipate the eschatological feast, (19:9), unity of the entire human race.In every Eucharistic celebration the risen lord is encountered in the table of the word and the table of bread of life. The table of the word offer the understanding of the salvation history, the table of bread of life makes the risen lord becomes really substantially present, (Am 8:11).

The table of the word leads to the table of the Eucharistic bread and prepares the community to live its many aspects the great “thanksgiving” in which the church turns to the father. The Sunday mass makes truly present the sacrifice of the cross. The communal character of Eucharist emerges on Easter celebration on Sunday (1cor 11:27-32). We are also called to have proper disposition towards the Eucharistic celebration (Mt 5:23-24). After the Eucharistic celebration the community is called to undertake the mission of Christ and the church of winning more souls to Christ.

Eucharist is the heart of Sunday celebration and thus all Christians are needed to take part in the liturgical assembly. The church holds the Sunday Eucharist as an obligatory task for every member of the Christian community. The church stressed this in the code of canon of 1917. It is also important to draw attention to the songs used by the assembly, to be songs of joyful celebration, fostering the sense of common faith and shared love. All should be involved in the celebration. Although they serve distinct roles all should be fully involved in the celebration. The community should gather and celebrate the Eucharist even in absence of the priest. The spirit of both the table of the word and table of bread of life should be fostered. The faithful who must stay away or absence from the celebration should be united in the celebration either through praying the day prayers, or through other media like radio and television though this does not foster the Sunday obligation of the gathering or the church.

Sunday remains a day of joy, rest and solidarity, Sunday is the day of joy in a very special way, to rejoice and rediscover the true nature and deep roots of joy. This aspect of Christian Sunday shows the way it is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Sabbath. Sunday gives the faithful a day to exercise works of mercy, charity and apostolate.