Unpacking Our Faith: Why Do We Celebrate Mass? Discovering Its Power and Purpose (Week 10)

by Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu  |  01/26/2025  |  Live the Liturgy

Do you know why the Priest or Deacon says: “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord”? The dismissal reminds us that Mass equips us to serve the Lord through peace and love. Our response, “Thanks be to God,” reflects gratitude for the transformative power of the Eucharist—not a desire to leave quickly, but recognition of the strength we receive to live as disciples.

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Unpacking Our Faith: Why Do We Celebrate Mass? Discovering Its Power and Purpose (Week 9)

by Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu  |  01/19/2025  |  Live the Liturgy

The breaking of the bread at Mass signifies our unity as one body in Christ, even though we are many. When the priest breaks the Body of Christ during the Lamb of God, it recalls how Jesus’ body was broken on the cross to “take away the sins of the world.” This act nourishes us spiritually, empowering us to rise above sin and grow in goodness.

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Unpacking Our Faith: Why Do We Celebrate Mass? Discovering Its Power and Purpose (Week 8)

by Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu  |  01/12/2025  |  Live the Liturgy

Do You Know the Origin of the Kiss of Peace at Mass?

The Lord’s Prayer, which begins the Communion Rite, reminds us of our shared dependence on God as His children. It leads us into the Kiss of Peace, a tradition deeply rooted in early Christianity.

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Unpacking Our Faith: Why Do We Celebrate Mass? Discovering Its Power and Purpose (Week 7)

by Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu  |  01/05/2025  |  Live the Liturgy

Do You Know What Happens during Consecration? After the Sanctus, the priest calls upon the Holy Spirit to transform the gifts of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. This sacred moment begins the narrative of the Last Supper, where Jesus took bread, blessed it, and said, “This is my body.”

The Eucharistic presence of Jesus is not static—it is active. Through the words of consecration, “This is the cup of my blood… it will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven,” Jesus offers Himself to the Father as a sacrifice to reconcile and heal the relationship between God and humanity.

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Unpacking Our Faith: Why Do We Celebrate Mass? Discovering Its Power and Purpose (Week 6)

by Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu  |  12/29/2024  |  Live the Liturgy

Why Do We Sing “Holy, Holy, Holy”? The Sanctus (Latin for "Holy") is our first communal praise to God the Father in the Eucharistic Prayer. Every time we sing the Sanctus, the entire Church of God unites in worship:

  • The faithful on earth,
  • The souls in purgatory,
  • And the saints in heaven join together in praise of God.
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Joy to the World! The Lord is come.

by Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu  |  12/22/2024  |  Live the Liturgy

This Christmas, we echo the joyful proclamation of the angel to the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: a Savior has been born for you” (Luke 2:10-11). These words ring with the promise of hope, peace, and salvation—a promise fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Lord. The Christmas hymn “Joy to the World,” inspired by Isaac Watts’ interpretation of Psalm 98, captures the true essence of this season: “The Lord is come; let earth receive her King!”

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Unpacking Our Faith: Why Do We Celebrate Mass? Discovering Its Power and Purpose (Week 5)

by Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu  |  12/15/2024  |  Live the Liturgy

Why do we move from sitting to standing to kneeling during Mass? Throughout the Mass, our posture— standing, sitting, or kneeling—carries deep significance.

Standing: We stand as a sign of reverence and respect, similar to how we stand when meeting an important person. During Mass, we stand when encountering Christ in the Gospel, receiving the Eucharist, or engaging in prayerful dialogue with God.

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Unpacking Our Faith: Why Do We Celebrate Mass? Discovering Its Power and Purpose (Week 4)

by Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu  |  12/08/2024  |  Live the Liturgy

Have you ever wondered how the readings for Mass are chosen? The Sunday readings follow a thoughtful structure. Over a three-year cycle, regular churchgoers will hear almost all of the New Testament and a rich selection of texts from the Old Testament. The Church’s liturgical year begins with Advent.

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Unpacking Our Faith: Why Do We Celebrate Mass? Discovering Its Power and Purpose (Week 3)

by Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu  |  12/01/2024  |  Live the Liturgy

Have you ever wondered about the meaning of the Liturgy of the Word? Or why we have three readings during Sunday Mass? Let’s explore this integral part of our worship. The Liturgy of the Word is God speaking directly to us. If you’ve been attentive to the readings, you might have noticed a pattern: the first reading typically comes from the Old Testament, except during the Easter season. (Take a moment to check out the readings during Advent!) In general, the first reading reveals God’s works in the past for His chosen people, Israel. This reading is often thematically connected to the Gospel.

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