Dear friends,
Last week, I wrote about preparations before the Mass. Mass is the most important event we will participate in during the week. This week I want to focus on the parts of the Mass. Yes, I know that the flow of the Mass is familiar. However, I really want to just share some reflections about different parts of the Mass. (There’s a lot I could say about the Mass, but I don’t have that much space!) Specifically, since we are continuing the theme of reflecting upon the Eucharist during these years of the Eucharistic revival, I want to focus on the ways in which Jesus is present during Mass.
Jesus is present during Mass in four different ways: in the Eucharist, through Scripture (the Word of God), through the faithful gathered, and through the presider.
The presider, when speaking the words of institution “Take this all of you. . .” is speaking in persona Christi, in the person of Christ. This means that it is not the presider saying these words, but rather it is Christ himself who says these words. That’s the same principle that is happening within Confession. Absolution ends through the words “I absolve you of your sins….” It is Jesus who is saying these words. The priest is acting in persona Christi at that moment.
Through the presider, Christ is present. However, Jesus is always closer than you may think at Church. Christ is also present in the pews. The second way Christ is present is through the faithful gathered as the Body of Christ. In the pews, collectively, everyone is a member of the body of Christ. So each one of us, the gathered faithful members of the Church, reveals Christ to each other at Mass. The sign of peace that we make after the Our Father is a sign of our connection as the Body of Christ.
Christ also is present as the Word of God through the readings. The readings are proclaimed by the lector. The proclamation is an important part of receiving the Word. One of the many reasons why we do not project the readings during Mass (aside from it being against Diocesan policy) is that the readings are meant to be received through hearing. It mirrors the way that God works in our lives and communicates with us. Of course, we also need to put in some effort to better receive God through the readings. As I said last week, one good practice in preparing for Mass is to go over the Mass readings before Mass begins. By doing so, we are inviting God’s word to have a deeper impact on our lives.
During Mass, Jesus is most present in the Eucharist. The entire Mass revolves around this. The readings and prayers at Mass are meant to prepare ourselves for what is coming, the opportunity to receive the Eucharist. We get to receive Christ! This is who we receive when we consume the Eucharist. It is the flesh of Christ—it is not a symbol or a sign. It actually is Him. That’s why the response in the Communion line is “Amen,” not any other word or set of words. By saying Amen, the Church’s prescribed response to “The Body of Christ,” we reinforce our Communion with the Church.
I hope this reflection on the presence of Christ in the Mass affects how we participate at Mass. And we can always be learning more about the Mass. To that end, I want to remind everyone that the Flourish our Faith ministry will have a study entitled “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass” starting March 23rd.
In Holy Cross,
Fr. Vincent