FORMATION
FORMATION 2005
segment NO 8
theme:
Fifth
mystery of light – The Institution of the Eucharist
call
to prayer & opening prayer:
As for the Order
Prayers
intention:
“May the
gift of the Eucharist be always central to our lives”
word
of reflection:
Reflect on the following words of the Pope:
The Mysteries
of Light
A
final mystery of light is the institution of the Eucharist, in which Christ
offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine, and
testifies “to the end” his love for humanity (Jn 13:1), for whose salvation he
will offer himself in sacrifice.
John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis
Mariae – The Rosary of the Virgin Mary #21
The Eucharist and the Church
The Church draws her life from the Eucharist. This truth does not simply
express a daily experience of faith, but recapitulates the heart of the
mystery of the Church. In a variety of ways she joyfully experiences the
constant fulfilment of the promise: “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of
the age” (Mt 28:20), but in the Holy Eucharist, through the changing of bread
and wine into the body and blood of the Lord, she rejoices in this presence
with unique intensity. Ever since Pentecost, when the Church, the People of
the New Covenant, began her pilgrim journey towards her heavenly homeland, the
Divine Sacrament has continued to mark the passing of her days, filling them
with confident hope.
John Paul II, Ecclesia de
Eucharistia – The Eucharist in relationship to the Church #1
Allow a
few moments reflective silence
Leader:
The Fifth Luminous Mystery – The Institution of the
Eucharist. Of
all the evangelists, St. John best evokes the solemn yet charged atmosphere of
the Last Supper. The apostles recline at table with Jesus, sharing this last
meal, listening to his words, which both comfort and challenge. This night the
Master's words touch their hearts as never before. Still they question him,
and their questions reveal their bewilderment, their fears, their weaknesses,
as they strive to comprehend what is happening to Jesus and what is happening
to them. Jesus' answers reveal his incredible love, patience, and trust in
these men who have left everything to follow him. The best answer he gives the
apostles and us, the best gift, is when he breaks the bread and says, "This is
my body…" then takes the cup of wine and says, "This is my blood…" and thus
gives them, gives all of us, his very self, offering himself in sacrifice
under the signs of bread and wine. Christ becomes our food in a most intimate
union. With the words, "Do this in remembrance of me…" Jesus confers his
priesthood upon the apostles and their successors to offer continually the
sacrifice of his body and blood, "through him, with him, and in him," until he
comes again.
The Word
of God is now proclaimed
word
of god
The Word of God is now read
aloud slowly and prayerfully
The Gospel according to
John 13: 12-15
When he had washed the feet of his disciples
and put his garments back on, he reclined at table again and said to them, "Do
you realize what I have done for you? You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and
rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have
washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a
model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."
After a
brief silence, the second scripture text is proclaimed:
The
Gospel according to
Matthew 26: 26-28
"Now as they
were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to the
disciples and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when
he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you; for
this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins.'"
After a
brief time of reflection the prayer continues:
Leader & all:
Our Father…
Leader:
Jesus, at the last supper, gave himself to his apostles as bread and wine
transformed, and as service in the washing of their feet. He revealed himself
not only as master and teacher, but as the Christ as he encouraged them to
imitate him by washing each other’s feet. In each Eucharist he gives himself
to us that we may give Him in service to the world
Leader & all:
Hail Mary (10
times)
Leader:
For the gift of the Eucharist to us and to the world, we give
praise to God:
Leader & all:
Glory be to the
Father…
The meeting proceeds
closing prayers:
As for the Order Prayers at the Closing of the Meeting.
