Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1127391 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Audio Cassette

From Amazon.com
The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth reawakens a surprising ancient view of the Eucharist, as the harbinger of the supernatural drama described by the New Testament book of Revelation. Catholic theologian Scott Hahn thinks that many worshippers receive the sacrament of communion without ever considering its links to the end of the world, the Apocalypse, and the Second Coming. Hahn wants to change our minds; he wants us to know that "The Mass--and I mean every single Mass--is heaven on earth." Literally. So, Hahn declares, "Now heaven has been unveiled for us with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ... Jesus Christ Himself says to you: 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me' (Rv. 3:20)." Hahn's enthusiasm, as evident even from these short quotes, is considerable--and infectious. Furthermore, he delivers his arguments with great levity (demonstrated in chapter titles such as "Oath Meal"), which makes The Lamb's Supper quite a tasty read. --Michael Joseph Gross

From Publishers Weekly
As with his earlier Rome Sweet Home, Hahn's The Lamb's Supper seeks to bring scriptural exegesis and Roman Catholic ritual tradition into fruitful dialogue. The central thrust of this piece is that Catholic liturgy offers the best interpretive paradigm for studying the Book of Revelation. Hahn divides his subject matter into three main sections, considering in turn Scripture in the canon of the Mass, various interpretive approaches to the Book of Revelation and the mutual illumination of the Catholic Mass and John's Apocalypse. Apart from vapid section titles (e.g., "Guided Missal," "Resisting a Rest" and "The Need to Heed the Creed"), which detract from the serious themes presented, Hahn treats the material quite competently, and he is candid in his enthusiasm for both biblical liturgics and liturgical exegesis. Hahn's work is a fine introduction to eucharistic theology for the Catholic layperson, offering a crash course in the history of sacrificial worship in ancient Israel. The book has an ecumenical appeal, especially for Lutherans and Anglicans desiring to better acquaint themselves with Catholic ritual and the New Testament. The only consideration noticeably absent from Hahn's liturgical review of Revelation is whether the doxological splendors of the Mass are marred or made manifest in the hastily prepared English translations of the Latin Rite issued in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Hahn, a Protestant minister who converted to Roman Catholicism, has written extensively about the Catholic faith in previous books (A Father Who Keeps His Promises, not reviewed, etc.). Here he examines the relationship between the Divine Liturgy and the Book of Revelation. Attending his first Mass, Hahn was struck by the word used to describe Jesus: lamb. Not the majestic, awe-inspiring language we usually reserve for God. But the Book of Revelation calls Jesus lamb, too, 28 times in 22 chapters. This was Hahn's first inkling that the key to understanding the Mass was Revelation, and the key to understanding Revelation was the Mass. His was not a new insight, but if Christians in the know have long understood the connections between Revelation and the Mass, most average church-goers would cock an eyebrow quizzically at the suggestion that the last book of the Bible has anything to do with bread and wine. Hahn's exploration of the connections between them is marred by superficiality, exemplified, but not limited to, a penchant for peppering the text with cute, near-pun subheadings, such as ``Well Bread'' and ``Moriah Carry.'' Still, if taken in the (light) spirit in which it is offered, this is worthwhile addition to one's eucharistic library. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

you don't have to be a scholar
I originally bought this book for a friend and since I paid for it I thought I might as well skim through it.
Well, I kept that copy and have ordered her another one.
The Mass which I viewed in black and white has now become vibrant with incredible color. Thank you, Scott Hahn.

A real eye-opener
I remember several years ago, when I first became interested in my faith, that being the Catholic faith, and I decided that if I am to call myself Catholic, and if I am to practice my faith, and identify myself with the tag "Catholic", then I am to know what my Church teaches. I was also very clear with myself, in making sure that I didn't choose wishy-washy Catholic writers, such as Paul Wilkes (author of the horrible book "Seven Secrets of Successful Catholics") or the controversial Hans Kung, but with those who are dubbed, how shall I say this, orthodox in their presentation of that which we call Catholic. Scott Hahn definitely falls into that boat called "orthodox".
I am what people would call a cradle Catholic, yet, somehow, this teaching of the Church seemed to slip by me over my years of catechism. With the state of the Church in America, that shouldn't strike one as too odd, though. I do seem to remember at one point in high school, though, hearing a friend of mine allude to the theology presented so eloquently by Mr. Hahn. Other than that tiny reference to it, for eighteen years of my life, I was all unawares about the Mass (or Divine Liturgy) being heaven on earth.
So, initially, the book was over my head. I had no real holding place in my mind for what Hahn was presenting in his book. I was so used to hearing Protestant mumbo-jumbo about the book of Revelation in reference solely to that which is yet to happen; I was conditioned, as they say. So, I had to read it slowly. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. For me, though, it was definitely an odd thing, for I am definitely not a slow reader; but it was, alas, a good thing. I call it good, for I came away with a much keener appreciation for the Divine Liturgy.
Not long after I read this splendid book, I paid a visit to a local Byzantine Catholic Church. In Eatern Churches (at least Byzantine Churches), Catholic or Orthodox, the marriage of Heaven and Earth is represented in a beautiful, symbolic way. The area where the congregation sits is referred to as Earth, and where the altar is is referred to as Heaven. Between the two is an icon screen, called an iconostasis. It is literally a wall covered with icons, separating Heaven from Earth. In the center are the Royal Doors, adorned with an icon of the Annunciation. On either side are the Deacons Doors, adorned with either icons of Deacons who are recognized as Saints or icons of angels. Some Byzantine Churches go so far as to have curtains also, to ensure that one can't see on the other side of the iconostasis. As soon as the Divine Liturgy (what Eastern Christians call the Mass) begins, with the Great Doxology, the Royal Doors open, symbolizing that Heaven and Earth are now one and the same, as Heaven has now touched down.
Anyways, I apologize for my digression. In short, this book was wonderful. I have now read it four times, my most recent time being in one day. Some may view this book as one that shouldn't be recommended to anyone unless they're either Catholic or Orthodox, for it may come across as too strange for Protestant minds. I wholeheartedly disagree. This book contains splendid apologetics for the Eucharist, and also demonstrates quite beautifully that what Protestants call "New Testament worship" is anything but what is found in their Churches. Yet, Hahn demonstrates so with charity and, might I add, clarity. Read this book!

Joe Muir

Wow
Gentle and informative. It deepens and inspires your understanding of Mass.