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> Such questions persisted well into living memory. I remember that, > in 1970 > when I was being questioned during the diocesan examination before > ordination, one of the examiners, a somewhat elderly priest, asked me > what > would have happened to the bread and wine if the apostles had > celebrated > mass in between the crucifixion and the ascension! One of the scholastics - Albertus Magnus, I think - does discuss this question and observes that it would have been possible, but not fitting. Actually, the first mention we have of the apostles meeting for 'the breaking of bread' is immediately after Pentecost. During the period between Ascension and Pentecost Acts observes that the apostles 'with one accord were constantly at prayer' (Acts 1:14); but nothing is said about the Eucharist. However, immediately after Pentecost there are two references to the Eucharist within a couple of verses: 'They met constantly to hear the apostles teach and to share the common life, to break bread, and to pray' (Acts 2:42) '. . . breaking bread in their homes' (Acts 2:46). Luke's implication, I think, is that celebration of the Eucharist is empowered by gift of the Holy Spirit, just as is the proclamation of the Gospel. oriens. ____________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.co.uk address at http://mail.yahoo.co.uk or your free @yahoo.ie address at http://mail.yahoo.ie %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%