The Eucharist: Gather and Prepare - John 6:1-15

“Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them.”

Throughout the Old Testament, God was gathering and preparing His people for the gift of the Most Holy Eucharist: the Passover (Ex 12:7), Manna in the desert (Ex 16:4), the Temple (2 Chr 5:14; 6:1, 2, 18), etc.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was gathering and preparing His followers for the gift of the Most Holy Eucharist, which by His death and resurrection became a reality for them and us: the Wedding Feast at Cana (Jn 2:7, 9, 10), the multiplication of the loaves (Mk 6:41-42, 44), the Last Supper (Luke 22:19), the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:30-31).

Through the multiplication of the loaves at the beginning of the Bread of Life Discourse in chapter six of John’s Gospel, Christ gathers those who followed Him and prepares them to come to Him, to believe in Him, and to feed on Him – the Bread of Life.

The Introductory Rites of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Introductory Rites of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass both gather us and prepare us to participate in the offering of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist and to receive Him in Holy Communion:

• The Procession – we make our way from our homes to the church.

• The Entrance Chant or Hymn – we begin our celebration together, united in song.

• The Sign of the Cross and Greeting – we welcome the presence of the Lord among us and respond as His Body, the Church.

Rev. Christopher R. Seibt
Pastor of Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy Parishes
Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of Syracuse