When I ask myself where the Mass is in the Bible, my mind goes to Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 24.
On Easter Sunday, three days after Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, and before He appeared to the eleven, Jesus walked beside two disciples on the road to Emmaus. What follows resembles the celebration of the Mass.
Jesus began with the Liturgy of the Word: “Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them what referred to Him in all the Scriptures.” (LK 24:27) On their long walk, Jesus goes through what we hear in a three-year cycle of the Scripture readings at Sunday Mass.
Then the three sit at the table, and Jesus celebrates the Liturgy of the Eucharist: “He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.” (LK 24:30-31)
When I reflect on this, I see this confirming that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. The two disciples did not recognize Jesus’ Real Presence with them until they received the Eucharist!
After the completion of the Mass in Emmaus, the two disciples’ hearts were on fire. They set out at once and returned to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven and those with them gathered together. “Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” (LK 24:33)
Now, Mass closes with the people in the congregation being sent. The common words used in our parish are: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”
Jesus’ action of celebrating Mass only a few hours after His resurrection confirms the vital importance of the Mass – and establishes the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of our faith!!
Bible Verse References To Understand The Mass
Opening blessing (Sign of the Cross) — Mt 28:19
Apostolic greeting — 2 Cor 13:13
Penitential Act (“Lord, have mercy”) — Mt 20:30–31; Ps 123:3
Gloria — Lk 2:14
Responsorial Psalm — Ps 136:1–3
Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia) — Rev 19:1–6; Tob 13:18
Preparation of the Gifts — Ps 116:12–13
Invitation to Prayer (“Pray, brethren…”) — Ps 50:14; Rom 12:1
Preface Dialogue (“Lift up your hearts”) — Lam 3:41
Sanctus (“Holy, Holy, Holy”) — Is 6:3; Rev 4:8; Mt 21:9; Ps 118:26
Institution Narrative (Consecration) — 1 Cor 11:23–26; Mt 26:26–28; Mk 14:22–24; Lk 22:19–20
Memorial Acclamation — 1 Cor 11:26
Great Amen (Doxology response) — Rev 5:13–14
The Lord’s Prayer — Mt 6:9–13
Sign of Peace (“Peace be with you”) — Jn 14:27; Jn 20:19
Fraction Rite / Lamb of God — Jn 1:29; Rev 5:6
Invitation to Communion (“Behold the Lamb of God… Blessed are those called…”) — Rev 19:9
Act of Humility (“Lord, I am not worthy…”) — Mt 8:8
Dismissal (“Go in peace”) — Lk 7:50
Response (“Thanks be to God”) — 2 Cor 9:15
More About How To Find The Catholic Mass In The Bible
What Is A Catholic Teaching Mass?
What Is The Catholic Mass?
Books On The Mass
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What We Say and Do in the Liturgy
The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You
Image: Photo by Jen Vazquez on Unsplash
