Episode Transcript  

One

The First Mass

The Mass is not a human invention centuries after Christ. Jesus Himself gave it to us, instituting its very structure at the Last Supper. It comes straight from Christ. 

The first Mass began with Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, an act of humility and service, and a true spiritual purification, cleansing them from sin so they could share worthily in the Eucharist. In the same way, the penitential rite at the start of Mass cleanses us so we may share worthily in the Holy Sacrifice. After washing their feet, Jesus spoke at length to the Apostles, as recorded in John chapters 14–17. He revealed to them the mysteries of the Father, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the love that unites them, a moment that mirrors the Liturgy of the Word, where God’s Word is proclaimed and explained in the homily before the Eucharistic sacrifice. Finally, during the Passover meal, Jesus consecrated the bread and wine, saying, “This is my Body, given for you… This is my Blood, poured out for you.” In this act, He offered himself sacramentally in anticipation of the bloody sacrifice of Calvary, making the two inseparably one. The Apostles received Him in Communion, just as we do at every Mass.

Through His death, Resurrection, and Ascension, Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary as our eternal High Priest, presenting this one sacrifice eternally before the Father. And in every Mass, heaven touches earth as we are drawn into that same sacrifice, united with Christ’s perfect worship of the Father.

Two

The Second Mass

The first Mass was instituted at the Last Supper, fulfilled on Calvary, and sealed in the Resurrection and Ascension. On Easter Sunday, the risen Lord celebrated the Mass again, this time with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. 

Just as at the Last Supper, it began with the Liturgy of the Word. Two disciples were walking away from Jerusalem, their hearts heavy with confusion, when the risen Jesus drew near and walked with them. But they didn’t recognize Him. As they journeyed, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). It was the first Sunday homily, Christ Himself opening the Word so their hearts would burn with faith.

Then, as evening fell, the Liturgy of the Eucharist began. They urged Him to stay with them, and when He was at table, “He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them” (Luke 24:30). In that moment, “their eyes were opened and they recognized Him” — and then He vanished from their sight. 

Where did they recognize Him? In the “breaking of the bread,” in the Eucharist. In fact, the Breaking of the Bread became the first name of what we call “the Mass.” 

The pattern is the same today: Christ first speaks to us in the Scriptures, and then He feeds us with His Body and Blood in the Eucharist. The road to Emmaus is the road we walk every time we come to Mass.

Three

Fundamental Structure of the Mass 

Jesus Himself gave the Mass its structure: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word grew out of the synagogue service that Jesus Himself attended every Sabbath. It included prayer, readings from the Law and the Prophets, and a homily or teaching that explained these readings.

At first, the Apostles and the first Christians attended the synagogue service after the Resurrection.  But during the teaching, they always showed the Jews that Jesus was the fulfillment, the Messiah foretold in the Scriptures, and so they were kicked out. When that happened, they brought the first part of their worship, the Liturgy of the Word, and joined it to what they already celebrated on Sundays: the “Breaking of the Bread,” the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

From that time until today, the Church has celebrated the Eucharist with this same pattern: first, Christ speaks to us in His Word, and then He feeds us with His very Body and Blood in the Eucharist. The structure endures because it is the way Christ Himself taught us to worship.

Four

Justin Martyr

Only a century after Christ, the Mass was already celebrated in a form we would recognize today. Around the year 150 A.D., St. Justin Martyr described it in detail. He writes that, on Sunday, the Christians gathered in one place. First, “the memoirs of the Apostles” — the Gospels — or the writings of the prophets were read. This was the Liturgy of the Word. Then the leader, the bishop, “gave an exhortation” to help the people live what they had heard. That was the homily. This was followed by prayers for the Church and for the whole world. This practice still continues in the “Prayers of the Faithful” today. Then the Liturgy of the Eucharist began. Bread and wine were brought to the bishop, who gave thanks and glory to God through Christ, and the people responded “Amen.” The deacons then distributed the Eucharist to those present and carried it to the sick who could not attend."

In his account of the Mass, St. Justin Martyr also gave a clear teaching on the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, saying: “We do not receive these things as common bread or common drink… the food made Eucharist… is the flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus.”

From Jesus to the Apostles, through the second century, and down to our own day, the essential structure of the Mass has remained the same: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the real presence of Christ, and our communion with Him, and so when we come to Mass, we join the same worship the early Christians knew.

Five

The Same Mass Today

From the beginning of Christianity until now, the Mass has remained the same in its essential structure. It unfolds in two great parts, which together form one act of worship. First comes the gathering and the Liturgy of the Word: the readings, the homily, and the prayers of intercession. Then, through the Creed, our profession of faith, we pass into the second part: the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Here, the bread and wine are presented, consecrated, and received in Holy Communion.

The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist are not two separate actions, but one single sacrifice of praise, one act of worship that unites us to Christ’s offering to the Father. In every Mass, heaven and earth meet, time and eternity touch, and we are drawn into the saving mystery of Christ.

Suggested Resolutions:

Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you. 

• When you go to Mass this week, really picture the original Mass, and remember that Jesus is made present, not only in the Eucharist but in the Word of God and the scenes from Scripture.

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