I am going to start the year by sharing one of the most meaningful things that I learned from my time studying at St. Mary’s College (Orchard Lake) and Sacred Heart Major Seminary. It is an understanding and firmly held teaching of the Church that many of us were never taught, or if we were, that we have forgotten. While “simple” to state, it has a depth of meaning that can profoundly affect your celebration of the Mass, and your understanding of the liturgy and the people that participate in it. Here it goes!
When the bishops met for the Second Vatican Council, one of the key principles they put forth regarding the liturgy is that Christ is present in the liturgy in four unique ways. These ways are: most especially, in the Eucharist broken and shared; in the person of the minister; in the proclamation of the Word of God; and in the group gathered for worship. (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, CSL #7). This four-fold presence of Christ makes our Mass a profound experience of God’s grace, if we are open to the experience. Like so many aspects of faith, the grace is there whether we realize it or not.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll break open the meaning of each of these experiences of Christ’s presence, but for now, I’ll leave you with a few thoughts on the Mass as a whole. Firstly, The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, also from the Vatican II, (Lumen Gentium #11) states that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of Christian life. It is the source and summit of our lives as Christians because it is where we experience Christ’s presence in such a profound way. At that liturgy, the words and/or actions of Christ are shared in order to inspire and motivate us. There, too, Christ enters our bodies through our reception of the Eucharist itself, to build a communion like no other. Then, after this “refueling” we are, then, sent out to love and serve others, and to spread the Good News of Jesus! The Mass IS the full experience of the Eucharist, as opposed to a communion service, because of this four-fold presence, and because it is where Christ’s sacrifice is re-presented for us. As Bishop Barron puts it in his new film series on The Mass: “Those who are gathered around the altar of Christ are not simply recalling Calvary; Calvary has become present to them in all of its spiritual power.”Stay tuned for more!
Also know that I am happy to research and discuss any topic on faith, spirituality, or Church teaching. Send us a message if you’d like to know more.