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Theme 3: The Liturgy of the Word

In this theme…

1. What is the place of the Eucharist in the life of a Christian community?

2. How would you describe the overall shape of a Eucharist?

3. If there's an introductory phase in the Eucharist, what happens in it?

4. What happens during The Liturgy of the Word?

5. Where did the tradition of the Peace come from? Is it necessary?

  1. What would you miss most about the Eucharist if there was a reason you could no longer take part?

  2. What is the place of the Eucharist in your own life? How has this changed over time?

  3. In what ways might celebration of the Eucharist create, reflect or encourage community life?

  4. The Eucharist links our lives with the Early Church. Imagine those early Christians. What do you think their experience of community was like? Consider reading “Phoebe” by Dr Paula Gooder, a fictional account of the New Testament character Phoebe who was so trusted by Paul. Dr Gooder is a New Testament. Early Christian community comes to life is a vivid way through her story. Find a copy here: Phoebe: A Story

  1. Have you experienced the Eucharist many times? Or is this something you’re yet to experience? What brings you to investigate this?

  2. What have you noticed about the shape of the Eucharist as Jonathan Holland describes it? What ideas are new to you? What ideas are familiar?

  3. This Eucharist thing is an ancient rite, described by Paul in the years after Jesus, and written about by people like Justin Martyr in the 100s. Why does it still remain so powerful into the 21st century?

  1. Do you detect an ‘introductory phase” in conversations you have with friends, a kind of warming up? What are the parallels with the beginning of the Eucharist?

  2. As Jonathan Holland describes the introductory phase of the Eucharist, it seems to be all about taking time to get right with each other and with God. Think of a time when you really needed this time to settle and collect yourself. How did the Eucharist impact you at that time?

  3. Read the Prayer of Preparation as a prayer on its own. What lines or words strike you as beautiful or important or particularly useful?

  1. What are the central texts of your life: the 5 books you would choose for your “Desert Island selection”?

  2. The Liturgy of the Word is the time to soak up the Scriptures. Are you someone who likes to read up on the text beforehand? Or do you like to approach the readings fresh on the day? Check out the readings before your next Eucharist and spend some time with the ideas and characters. See how that impacts your experience.

  3. What do you think about Jonathan’s idea that the Bible is like the family photo album? In what ways could that idea be useful?

  4. Have you ever wondered why Christians spend so much time with the Old Testament? Check out these conversations in St Francis College Short Course: Theme 3 - Reading the Old Testament to explore that further.

  1. Different communities have different conventions for passing the Peace. What is your experience of this sign of reconciliation?

  2. There may be times when a handshake is not possible. Design another way that a congregation could show their willingness to reconcile with each other.

  3. When a person is suffering real conflict in their life, is a symbolic reconciliation enough?



 

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