Eucharist – Session 1

Session 1

We take and offer the gifts of bread and wine

Note: you will need to set aside 35–40 minutes for this time together.

Prepare

You will need:

  • a small table with a nice cloth covering it—this will be your ‘prayer table’
  • a candle—preferably your child’s baptismal candle
  • a crucifix
  • a Bible
  • a small loaf of bread (optional)
  • some red wine in a special or cherished wine glass (optional)
  • a journal—something to write in and keep as a memento of this time together
  • a pen or pencil.

Begin

  • We light the candle, and in doing so, we remember, in faith, that Jesus is present with us.
  • We pause for a moment to remember what happens at Mass: we take, bless, break and share bread and wine, which is changed into the Body and Blood of the Lord.
  • We take three deep, quiet breaths.
  • With each quiet breath, you might like to pray in your heart, ‘Jesus, you are present with us.’

Share

Before giving someone a gift, we spend time thinking about what to give them and what the recipient really wants or needs.

Adults and children: share a time with each other when you gave someone a very special gift:

  • What was it?
  • What made you choose that particular gift?
  • How was the gift received?

Giving a gift is more than just handing over an object, isn’t it? In one sense, the gift we give away is a part of ourselves—our love for someone else and our hope that they will really cherish the gift.

In your journal, write a few sentences about how you felt when you received a really special gift:

  • What was the gift?
  • Who gave you the gift?
  • Why was the gift special for you?
  • How did you feel when you were given the gift?

Listen to God’s word

Jesus’ very special gift to us on the night before he died

For the tradition I received from the Lord and also handed on to you is that on the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and after he had given thanks, he broke it, and he said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ And in the same way with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.’ As often as you eat this bread, then, and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes.

Reflect

Almost 2000 years ago, St Paul wrote these words in a letter to the Christians in a place called Corinth.

In this part of his letter, the simple gifts of bread and wine—‘fruits of the earth’—are used by Jesus to say something very important. Jesus is saying to us that the gifts he gives us are his Body and Blood—his entire self.

Jesus gave his whole self in a sacrifice of love for all who believe in him—a wonderful gift to us. At Mass, we offer the gifts of bread and wine as a symbol of giving ourselves to Jesus in the hope that we can be like him, and in return, Jesus gives us his Body and Blood (formerly the bread and the wine) as spiritual food so that we have the strength to be like him and to love like him.

Just as we need fruit, vegies and meat to fuel and strengthen our bodies, the bread and wine we receive in the Eucharist, at Mass, fuel and strengthen our soul.

Explore

Together, take a few minutes to think about and discuss the following ideas.

I wonder

I wonder why Jesus gives himself to us.

I wonder

I wonder how receiving the gift of Jesus might help me grow.

I wonder

I wonder how receiving the gift of Jesus will help me know and love him more.

Learn

Our Church celebrates Mass every day and especially on Sunday. Mass is the word we usually use, but it is sometimes called ‘the celebration of the Eucharist’.

The Mass has a particular shape to it—it’s the same every Sunday.

Celebration of the Eucharist

For each image, drag the slider from side to side to reveal the similarities between the special-celebration actions and the celebration of the Eucharist.

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Connect

You may have seen two people at Mass carry bread and wine through the Church and give it to the priest. When the priest has received the gifts of bread and wine from the two people, he prays these special prayers:

Connect

Apply

In your journal, draw a loaf of bread and a cup of wine and write a little prayer to Jesus thanking him for the gifts he gives us.

Perhaps the family can pray the following prayer together at your next family meal.

Pray