A second century celebration of the Mass

 

Throughout the Easter season we repeatedly hear Gospel accounts of the Risen Jesus sharing meals with his disciples. On the road to Emmaus, for example, we read that Jesus “took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them” (Luke 24:13–35). The evangelists clearly intend us to recognise in these moments the early Eucharistic life of the Christian community.

A century later, Saint Justin Martyr—born in Flavia Neapolis (modern‑day Nablus, north of Jerusalem) around the turn of the first century and martyred in Rome about AD 165—gives us one of the earliest detailed descriptions of how the Eucharist was celebrated following baptism (First Apology, 65–67). He explains that:

• The newly baptised are welcomed into the assembly.

• The whole community offers prayers for them (and exchanges the kiss of peace).

• Bread and wine mixed with water are brought to the presider.

• The presider offers thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία) “at some length,” and the people respond “Amen.”

• Deacons distribute the consecrated bread and wine to those present and bring them to those who are absent.

St Justin then adds this striking testimony:

For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. 

To me, this looks and sounds very much like the Mass in all of its essentials!

*  (caption for picture above is Justin Martyr’s Worship – Restless Pilgrim)