Reflection #7 [ PDF ]
The Sunday Eucharist

Refer to: Novo Millennio Ineunte, 32-34

In the Church’s calendar Sunday holds a prime place. Sunday, ‘the Lord’s Day’, is the Christian Sabbath, a day of rest, prayer, family and community celebration.

As a Christian community Sunday is our day, our ‘weekly easter’ in which we celebrate our salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a summons to remember the big picture of what life is all about: in God we find our deepest origins and our eternal destiny. Rather than simply being ‘a day off’, Sunday is an invitation to refresh the inner spirit and cherish the blessings and gifts of God.

Referring to his 1998 letter Dies Domini, the Pope points out that sharing in the Eucharist is the heart of Sunday for every baptised person. Keeping the Sabbath is more than conforming to a ‘rule’, it is the mark of a consistent Christian life. Especially in societies where Christian faith is unsupported by the surrounding culture, the gathering of the faithful at the Sunday Eucharist is a vital expression of solidarity.

Opening reflection

Read Acts 2:42-47 Life in the first Christian community
Through good times and bad, who or what sustains you in your faith? Put another way: Why do you still believe?

Points for discussion

What is your reaction to the challenge of keeping Sunday as a day of rest, family, prayer and celebration?

• In what ways am I already doing this?
• How would my lifestyle have to change in order to live the Lord’s Day more fully?

In today’s society, what pressures make it difficult to keep the Christian Sabbath? In response to these challenges, discuss practical strategies for ‘keeping Sundays holy’:

• As a day of rest
• As a family day
• As a day of prayer
• As a day of eucharistic celebration
• As a witness to others

Action

As a team, lead by example: Make a special effort this Sunday to ‘keep the Sabbath holy’. Next Sunday, give feedback to the parish in a short testimony at Mass. Or share your experience via the bulletin.

Prayer

As part of your prayer time reflect upon one of the prayers of the Mass.