Building Blocks. If we are going to begin to make sense of The Liturgy – using that term in reference to what we most often called "the Holy Eucharist" – then, we have to understand some basics first. So, let's do that now.
 
Block #1: What Is a Sacrament? The focal point of our Liturgy is Holy Communion. Holy Communion is a sacrament. Okay, what is a sacrament? A classic definition of a sacrament is that it is an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace. (Reread that definition and then think about it for a few moments).
 
Block #2: How Is Holy Communion a Sacrament? So, in the case of Holy Communion we receive (consume) bread and wine. However, the bread and wine are simply outward and visible signs of something deeply spiritual and very real. Now read what follows carefully and prayerfully: In the Sacrament of Holy Communion we tap directly into the grace which was made available by the Lord to the Apostles at the Last Supper. It was there that Our Lord said of the bread, "This is my body," and of the wine, "This is my blood." He meant what he said. Thus, the bread and the wine are simply outward signs, such that when we consume them, we consume the body and blood of Christ. 
 
(Here I suggest you reread the italicized definition of sacrament given in Block #1, above).
 
Block #3: It's a Two-Part Liturgy. Our Liturgy, that is, our service of Holy Eucharist, has two major parts: The Liturgy of the Word; and the Great Thanksgiving (or, the Liturgy of the Eucharist). For purposes of this issue of the Wednesday Edition – as there will be more detail in coming weeks – suffice it to say that the Service of the Word is everything that happens from the beginning of our church service right up to when we "pass the peace," or, if you like, the point where the ushers present the offering baskets to the priest-celebrant. Immediately after that begins the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which in our service booklet is called the Great Thanksgiving, because Eucharist in Greek means "thanksgiving." This second part ends with the priest's blessing and the dismissal.
 
Home Work. Here is your assignment for the coming week: Commit to memory (1) the definition of a sacrament; (2) how Holy Communion fits that definition; and (3) the names of the two parts of our Liturgy and where they begin and end. 
 
One more thing: Author Thomas Howard says that every Liturgy unfolds the entire drama of salvation. See if you can discern on your own how this is true at your next Holy Eucharist.
 
Continued Epiphany Blessings,
Fr. Dennis