To further expand on the divine nature of the Eucharist vs the Mormon use of ‘burning in the bosom’ as the method to discern whether inspiration is from the Lord or not, the Catholic understanding of Christ on the road to Emmaus, here Jesus again is showing that He is the Bread of Life.
The Lord opens Scripture for them…‘and beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.’ The Lord stayed with them into the evening, and then he completed his visitation by the breaking of the bread, taking bread, blessing it, and giving it to them.
The road to Emmaus is not about discerning new ideas through the use of emotive feeling of the heart. Instead, this visit is akin to the time we are in union with Christ at the Mass. We begin our liturgy with the Liturgy of the Word, the Old Testament, the Psalms – spirituality of the Scriptures, then the New Testament readings – the Epistles, Acts, and Revelations. The priest reads the Gospel and gives us teachings in Christ of today’s readings. Then the Mass continues into the Liturgy of the Eucharist…so that the Word becomes Flesh through Jesus to us, in spirit and life.
Finally, in light of the Mormon quest to build a temple in the countryside surrounding Rome, again I take liberty to share the description of the Mass in Rome written around the year 155 AD, documented by St Justin the Martyr, a former pagan, for Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. St. Justin the Martyr was later beheaded in 165 AD.
Code:
Sunday Mass in Rome (155 AD)
“On the day called Sunday, all who live in the cities or countryside gather in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the apostles are read, as long as time permits. Then, when the reader has finished, the president instructs and exhorts them to imitate these good things. Then we all rise together and pray…When our prayer is ended, bread and wine with water are brought forth, and the president offers prayers and thanksgiving, according to his ability. The people assent, saying “Amen”;
and there is a distribution to each of the eucharistic elements. the deacons carry a portion to those who are absent.”
“Those who are able give willingly whatever sum they each think appropriate. The money collected is deposited with the president. He gives it, then, to comfort orphans, widows, and those who are imprisoned, strangers traveling among us. In a word, he takes care of all who are in need.”
“Sunday is when we hold our assembly because it is the first day, on which God brought forth the world from darkness and matter. On the same day, Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead. For he was crucified on the day before Saturn’s day (Saturday); and on the day after Saturn’s day, which is the day of the sun, he appeared to his apostles and disciples and taught them these things, which we have submitted to you for your consideration.” St. Justin the Martyr
We as Catholics have never tithed or paid 10% into the collection basket. However, we are to support our Church in whatever way possible, the spirit of liberality continuing as it was back in St. Justin’s time.
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