spiritual Formation The Liturgy & The Mass WORD OBJECTIVE: Teens will discover the readings of the Mass, their purpose, and how to better enter into the Mass by means of Scripture. SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 CATECHISM REFERENCE: For this reason, the Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lord s Body. She never ceases to present to the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of God s Word and Christ s Body. CCC 103 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 1
SESSION SNAPSHOT: Review the entire lesson plan in advance so you are prepared to lead and discuss comfortably. Gather necessary supplies and review any songs or video clips prior to your gathering. Adjust the suggested time allotments as necessary. Time Section Session Overview 15 minutes Dig In Use an activity called Telephone Charades to introduce the session. 5 minutes Plant Seeds Open your time together with prayer and read Hebrews 4:12. 30 minutes Sink Roots In this section, teens will: 1) Discover the different parts of the Mass, 2) Understand why Scripture is relevant still today, and 3) Practice tips to help you get the most out of Mass. 10 minutes Live it! Teens will be given suggestions to help them pay attention in Mass, and will be challenged to reflect on and write about their thoughts from this session at home this week. 5 minutes Closing Prayer Teens will prayerfully thank God for the gift of Mass. Prepare in Advance: Make sure to find the Mass readings ahead of time and print them out for each of the teens. The readings can come from the upcoming or previous Sunday Mass, or they can be the readings from daily Mass. Mass readings can be found at: usccb. org/bible/readings Reading from the Bible is better than a print out because it familiarizes the teens with their own Bible. 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 2
Text, tweet and/or update your group s Facebook page to remind the teens about the gathering. Use messages something like this: Ever struggle to hear what God might be saying to you? Join us [tomorrow] to learn how to get more out of the Bible and Mass! Ever get bored during Mass? Come [tonight] to learn more about how to get more out of the Bible and Mass! DIG IN Telephone of Charades SAY: We all know it s pretty hard to build relationships without communicating, right? Communication is how we come to know and understand each other. And this has been true since before cell phones and texting existed, believe it or not! In his work On the Love of God, St. Francis de Sales writes, It is necessary that friends love one another, that they know they love one another, and that they have communication, intimacy, and familiarity with one another. Today, we re going to take a look at Mass, specifically the Scripture Readings of the Mass, and how they facilitate communication and relationship between those attending Mass and above all, with God. Before we begin, let s open our time together in prayer. SAY: We re going to play a simple game to help us connect with our topic today. Let s divide into two equal groups. Then I d like each group to form a single-file line. Allow students one minute to organize. I m going to whisper a message to the person at the back of each line. Then those two people will each tap the shoulder of the next person in their line; those two will turn around and try to figure out the message their teammates are communicating. Here s the catch: no one can speak during the game. The message deliverers must act out their messages. When it s your turn to receive the message, give a thumbs up when you think you understand the message, and then tap the shoulder of the person in front of you. The last person to receive the message in each line will use their words to deliver the message to me and I will let the team know if they were successful or not in their message delivery. 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 3
The results are always funny, but it is helpful to keep the message simple so it isn t always lost entirely. Here are some possible messages: 1. Don t text and drive. 2. You are my sunshine. 3. Please hop over the log. 4. Peace on earth. (After the game, continue.) SAY: Well, that game proved that communication can sometimes be tricky! Our messages can often get confusing or misconstrued if they aren t communicated correctly. Take a minute in your groups and discuss these questions: Describe a time when something you communicated wasn t heard correctly or was misunderstood by the recipient. How did that make you feel? What are some situations when it s hard to effectively communicate with others? Do you ever feel like it s difficult for you to understand what God is trying to communicate to you? Why or why not? PLANT SEEDS READ: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 PRAY: Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Lord, we thank You that by Your great love You have revealed Yourself to us in Sacrament and in Word. We ask that You would open our minds and hearts and help us to come to know Your Word more perfectly, come to understand how it applies to our lives in a new way, and by it, to enter into Mass in a new way. Amen. End with the Sign of the Cross. You may choose to read this prayer as the leader, or ask for a volunteer to read the prayer prior to the start of your meeting time. 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 4
SINK ROOTS Liturgy of the Word SAY: If you ve grown up in the Catholic faith, you re likely quite familiar with Mass, but there may be times when you struggle to really understand exactly what is taking place up front at the altar. The Mass the memorial of Christ s death and Resurrection, which He entrusts to his beloved Bride the Church is essential to our Catholic faith and is divided up into four parts: the gathering rite, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the rite of sending forth. The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist are the two larger parts of the Mass. The Liturgy of the Word is where we hear Scripture readings, sing the Psalm, and listen as the priest gives a homily. Take a minute and turn to a partner to discuss the following questions: What are some things that cause you to struggle to pay attention during Mass? Which parts of the Mass are harder to pay attention to? Describe a time at Mass when you took away something personal for yourself from the Mass (from one of the readings, the priest s homily, a certain prayer, etc.). How did that part of the Mass speak to you? SAY: Many people struggle during the Liturgy of the Word. The readings can be long and confusing, the Psalm can be hard to sing along with, and sometimes the homily is difficult to relate to. However, Jesus speaks to us throughout the Mass, and especially during the Liturgy of the Word. At Mass we hear four readings: the first reading from the Old Testament, the Psalm, the second reading from the Epistles (the letters written by Apostles), and a reading from the Gospels. Both the Old Testament and New Testament are presented because Scripture as a whole is the story of Christ everything in the Old Testament prepares for Christ, and everything Christ says and does in the New Testament fulfills everything in the Old Testament. We give a special importance to the Gospel because it talks specifically about the life of Christ. The priest then gives his homily, usually on the readings of that Sunday. The readings that day have all been carefully chosen, and have a connection with one another. The priest will usually give his homily on the Gospel and then connect the other readings to it. We hear God s Word proclaimed, and then the priest helps us to better understand what it means and how to apply it to our lives. 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 5
We spend the first half of Mass listening to the readings and the homily because Scripture is important. Scripture is God s Word, and it is one of the main ways in which He communicates with us. When listening to and reading Scripture, we need to remember that it is God speaking to us it is living, effective, and relevant today. Let s take a few moments to read through some of the Mass readings, and put what we re talking about into practice. As you read each one, share with your partner what speaks directly to you from the verse, and why it is relevant to your life today or in the future. Have the teens read the Mass readings you have printed out for them. Give them 10 minutes to read the passages and share with their partners. If possible, post Scripture references on a screen or whiteboard, and have them read from their Bibles. LIVE IT! SAY: Today and throughout history, God speaks to us through His revealed Word in Scripture. It is so important for us to know, read, and pray the Scriptures, and this is why the Church has them built into every Mass so that the faithful who attend can hear, know, and follow God. Before you go to Mass this upcoming week, read over the tips on your Teen Sheet to help you prepare and get more out of Mass each week. Here are the tips you ll want to remember: Read the Bible In your own time, start reading the Scriptures. Familiarize yourself with them, so that at Mass you will begin to have a better idea of what is going on in the readings you hear. Make Connections As you listen to the readings in the Mass, try to connect them to each other. What do they have in common with each other, or what theme is being presented through the readings? Listen to the Priest s Homily Pay attention to what he says about the readings. If it helps, try and listen for at least one thing you can take away and remember from the homily throughout the week. 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 6
Follow Along Get a Magnificat or the Roman Missal, or grab the hymnal in the pew and follow along with the readings. Read the Mass Readings Before Going to Mass It is so easy to get distracted and miss the readings. If you have read them before, it may help you follow along. The daily readings can be also found on the USCCB website at: usccb.org\bible\readings SAY: It s important that we take time for our own personal devotion and prayer so that we can quietly reflect on how God is communicating with us each day and grow in relationship with Him. Mass is also an important way for us to come together as a Catholic family and experience the Living Word of God, in Scripture and the Blessed Sacrament. Discuss the following questions. Do you feel like you can hear what God is saying to you in your everyday life? Why or why not? Do you feel like you hear God at Mass? What do you get out of Mass when you go? How can you begin to appreciate the Mass readings more? What do you need to do to prepare yourself for Mass? TAKE IT TO PRAYER SAY: When we have a better understanding of the Mass, we can grow in our appreciation of this time to come together as a Catholic family to experience the Living Word of God and the Blessed Sacraments. As you prepare for Mass in the upcoming week, pray this traditional Act of Faith prayer to prepare your heart to receive all that God desires for you through Holy Mass: 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 7
O my God, who are infallible Truth and can neither deceive nor be deceived, I firmly believe all that you have revealed and propose to my belief though your holy Church, because you have revealed it. I believe that you are one in nature and three in Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that you are the Creator of all things and that you reward the just for all eternity in heaven and punish the wicked for all eternity in hell. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God made man, that he suffered and died for my sins and rose from the dead in glory, and that it is only in him through the Holy Spirit that eternal life is given to us. I believe in all that your holy Church believes. I thank you for having called me to the true faith, and I propose that with the help of your grace I will live and die in this holy faith. Amen. BEAR FRUIT SAY: Now that you ve gained insight into the readings of the Holy Mass, try these ideas to prepare your heart for Mass in the upcoming week: Read Up: Go to http://usccb.org/bible/readings to look up the readings for Mass this week. Take time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures and pray for God to prepare your heart and use these readings to speak into your life this week. Talk About It: Plan ahead to meet up with two or three people from your small group after Mass this upcoming week for lunch. Talk about your experience and how it was different now that you ve learned more about the role Scripture has in the Mass. Ask each other how what you experienced at Mass will affect how you will live in the upcoming week, then pray for each other that each individual will live out the Mass in their daily lives this week. Reflect: Use these Scripture verses to reflect on in the upcoming week. Journal about how the verse is relevant to your life today or in the future. Hebrews 4:12 2 Timothy 3:16 Isaiah 55:10-11 Isaiah 43:18-19 Romans 12:1-2 Deuteronomy 30:19 1 Thessalonians 4:3 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 8
Closing Prayer READ: Cast all your anxieties upon him, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 Take a minute and have the teens go around and list any petitions they wish to lift up to God. Begin with the Sign of the Cross. PRAY: Lord, we thank You for the Mass and Your Word. Please help us to commit ourselves to regularly attend Mass, so we can grow closer to You as we come together to hear Your Word and receive the Blessed Sacrament. God, open our hearts to what You want us to hear each week, and help us to listen closely to Scripture to discover how You are using them to speak to us. May we see how they apply to our lives each and every day. We pray in Your most Holy Name. Amen. End with the Sign of the Cross. 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 9
WORD Teen sheet This session is designed to help you discover the readings of the Mass, their purpose, and how to better enter into the Mass by means of Scripture. As you participate in this study, use these points to guide you. Add your own notes, observations, or questions in the space below each point. If images or symbols come to mind, include them as a way to help you process and remember the key takeaways from this lesson. Do you ever struggle paying attention in Mass and if so, why? Which parts of the Mass are harder to pay attention to? Describe a time at Mass when you took away something personal for yourself from one of the readings or from the Priest s homily how did that part of the Mass speak to you? Q 2 : Quotes and Questions Every Holy Mass, heard with devotion, produces in our souls marvelous effects, abundant spiritual and material graces which we, ourselves, do not know. Saint Padre Pio 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 1
Before you attend Mass this week, use these tips to help you prepare: Read the Bible In your own time, start reading the Scriptures. Familiarize yourself with them, so that at Mass you will begin to have a better idea of what is going on in the readings you hear. Make Connections As you listen to the readings in the Mass, try to connect them to each other. What do they have in common with each other, or what theme is being presented through the readings? Listen to the Priest s Homily Pay attention to what he says about the readings. If it helps, try and listen for at least one thing you can take away and remember from the homily throughout the week. Follow Along Get a Magnificat or the Roman Missal, or grab the hymnal in the pew and follow along with the readings. Read the Mass Readings Before Going to Mass It is so easy to get distracted and miss the readings. If you have read them before, it may help you follow along. The daily readings can be also found on the USCCB website at: usccb.org\bible\readings 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 2
Just for Fun If you have a smartphone, you can download the following Apps that have Mass readings and many other great features: ibreviary Pro Terra Sancta (Free) ios,blackberry, Android and Kindle Fire Laudete (Free) ios, Android, an Kindle Fire. Magnificat (ios only; free to subscribers of USA print edition/$1.99 per month) Q 2 : Quotes and Questions The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross. Saint Thomas Aquinas 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 3
As you prepare for Mass in the upcoming week, pray this traditional Act of Faith prayer to prepare your heart to receive all that God desires for you through Holy Mass: O my God, who are infallible Truth and can neither deceive nor be deceived, I firmly believe all that you have revealed and propose to my belief though your holy Church, because you have revealed it. I believe that you are one in nature and three in Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that you are the Creator of all things and that you reward the just for all eternity in heaven and punish the wicked for all eternity in hell. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God made man, that he suffered and died for my sins and rose from the dead in glory, and that it is only in him through the Holy Spirit that eternal life is given to us. I believe in all that your holy Church believes. I thank you for having called me to the true faith, and I propose that with the help of your grace I will live and die in this holy faith. Amen. Weekly Mass Challenge If you struggle to focus during the Liturgy of the Word or the homily, the problem probably is not the priest or the Liturgy. Most people need to hear a message 3 6 times before they fully comprehend the message. This week, read the Sunday Mass readings and reflect on them ahead of time. When Sunday Mass comes around, you will find that the readings and the homily make a lot more sense and that it is much easier to focus. 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 4
Now that you ve gained insight into the readings of the Holy Mass, try these ideas to prepare your heart for Mass in the upcoming week: Read Up: Go to http://usccb.org/bible/readings to look up the readings for Mass this week. Take time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures and pray for God to prepare your heart and use these readings to speak into your life this week. Talk About It: Plan ahead to meet up with two or three people from your small group after Mass this upcoming week for lunch. Talk about your experience and how it was different now that you ve learned more about the role Scripture has in the Mass. Ask each other how what you experienced at Mass will affect how you will live in the upcoming week, then pray for each other that each individual will live out the Mass in their daily lives this week. Reflect: Use these Scripture verses to reflect on in the upcoming week. Journal about how the verse is relevant to your life today or in the future. Hebrews 4:12 2 Timothy 3:16 Isaiah 55:10-11 Isaiah 43:18-19 Romans 12:1-2 Deuteronomy 30:19 Q 2 : Quotes and Questions The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home. Saint Augustine of Hippo There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us. St. John Vianney It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass. St. Padre Pio 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved. 5
parent sheet WORD Here is an overview of the topic and some questions to help you dialog with your teen about the session. We covered the readings at Mass and how we can begin to enter into them. You can look up the readings for Mass at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/. We discussed how they function within the Mass and how to begin to get more out of them. What We re Talking About What stands out for you most each week at Mass? Many Catholics, (young and old alike) struggle with portions of the Holy Mass, and particularly during the Liturgy of the Word. However, the readings are an essential part of the Mass; Jesus, the Word of God, speaks to us. When we understand that the Scriptures aren t random that each reading in fact has a specific purpose and meaning for being read on a particular day we can better understand how God is communicating to us through His Word and how He guides our lives today. In this session, we talked about how The Mass is an important piece of the Catholic faith; inviting our Catholic family to come together to experience the Living Word of God and the Blessed Sacrament. We explored how Scripture, though written thousands of years ago, is still applicable and relevant to our lives today. Teens discovered the connections they can make between the readings in the Mass and their own lives. Make the Connection Here are some conversation starters for this week. Remember to share your perspectives as well. What is your most memorable experience at Mass as a teenager and now as an adult? What do you do to prepare yourself for Mass each week? In what ways has God s Word spoken into your life in the past week, month, or year? How or what do you take away from Mass that you apply to your daily life each week? Read the Mass readings together as a family. You can find them at usccb.org/bible/readings/ Q 2 : Quotes and Questions There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us. St. John Vianney It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass. St. Padre Pio 2013 Augustine Institute. All rights reserved.