“The Hidden Depths of the Mass” #2

The Origins of the Mass

 Initially, Christians gathered with Jews on the Sabbath for the Jewish worship that included readings from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and a sermon.  Then the Christians gathered on Sunday for the Eucharist. 

 As hostility developed between Jews and Christians, Christians stopped going to Jewish services and made Sunday their Sabbath.  At Sunday Mass, they shared the Word of God from the Old Testament and celebrated the Eucharist on Sunday at one service.  They began to include what we know today as the gospels and New Testament letters. 

 St. Justin Martyr, in his First Apology (c. 155 AD),shows us the same structure to Mass as we have today (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1345). The Mass in the second century included Bible readings, a homily, prayers for the people, a kiss of peace, and Eucharistic Prayer.

 In 313 A.D., in the Edict of Milan, the emperor legalized Christianity.  Since then, Mass has been celebrated openly in public.

You can find past articles in this series on my website at https://www.renewaloffaith.org/bulletin-series-on-the-mass-2023.html.