We have seen that the Mass has two parts, The Liturgy of the Word, and The Liturgy of the Eucharist. The synagogue service of readings and Our Lord's actions at the Last Supper come together as the basis for the Mass. Both parts bring us to the same reality, Our Lord Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection. Both parts invite us to become Christ's people, living today the same mystery of God's love which he communicates.

The layout of the Church and the actions and gestures of the Mass reinforce this. Christ the Word of God is broken and shared among us from the lectern. Christ the Bread of life is broken and shared among us from the altar. Every Sacrament combines word and action. The word gives meaning, the action gives it substance. At the ordination of a priest, he is ordained to proclaim the Word of God - that is his first task - and to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist - that follows from the first.