About the Mass Series: Invitation to Communion Part 15

 ABOUT THE MASS SERIES VOL 2

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‘INVITATION TO COMMUNION’ Part 15
 

After the private preparation of the priest and people, the priest genuflects and shows the Host to the congregation (known as the second elevation- the first being at the consecration.  This is different and quite distinct from the raising of the host on the paten and the chalice at the Doxology-(Through Him with Him, in Him), which is the only liturgically correct and theologically sound action at that time.

As the host is elevated, he says:

 ‘This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  Happy are those who are called to His supper’. Both statements are taken from Scripture- the first from John 1:29 and the second from Revelation 19:9. Some priests introduce the invitation with other prayers relevant to the Sunday Gospel or their own congregation but will complete their own prayer as they elevate the host with the words mentioned above.

 Before 1969, the response was ‘Lord I am not worthy to receive Thee under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed’.  This was repeated three times.  This too is taken from Scripture-the words of the centurion (Mt 8:9). 

 In the current translation of the Mass since 2010, this is what we pray at this time. We pray it once only.  It is important that we are focused at this time especially so that we can pray these words as our own and can pray them with humility and genuineness of heart.

 

In the previous translation of the Mass post Vatican 2,  we used to respond ‘Lord I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word, and I shall be healed’.

 We may have our personal preference here- some would say by using the word I, rather than my soul that we are including our complete self –body, mind and spirit. Others prefer the concept of ‘my roof’ and all that it entails.  Whatever our personal preference may be, it is wonderful, and yet, humbling to remember that it is only through the Lord’s word that we shall be healed. The text as it presently stands aims to strike a balance between worthiness rooted in Baptism (I am a child of God), and the humility possessed by the centurion, which we are invited to imitate. It is a response of humility and awe. No other gift can compare to this, and it is God’s invitation, which makes us worthy to receive it. 

 

What does such an invitation evoke in You?

Collect Series: Collect for Second Sunday Ordinary Time.

 COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT 

The Collect for the Second Sunday of Year B reads as follows:

Almighty ever-living God,

Who governs all things, both in heaven and on earth,

Mercifully hear the pleading of Your people

And bestow Your peace on our times.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. What is my relationship with God as Creator?
2. Does my life exemplify myself as the Creator in the way of live or does it exemplify God as Creator- is God first in my life?
3. What are my pleading for Your people?  Do I intercede for the Church and for His people?
4. What does God’s peace mean to me?
5. What areas in my life need God’s peace?
6. What steps can I take this coming week to experience God’s peace in my life and in the lives of those whom I meet, work, parishioners, family, friends?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Gospel for today is from Jn 1:35-42, which gives us the calling of the first four apostles. You will notice the steps involved in the calling.

Step 1:  The first 2 apostles listen to John the Baptist. His statement " There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" made an impression on them and they left John to follow Jesus.  This is reminiscent of the Epiphany which we celebrated last week. Herod tried to hold onto power whilst the wise men from the East sought the Lord of Lords to be their King.  John the Baptist does not try to hold on to his power or hold them back but lets them go. He releases them knowing that he was to point the way to Jesus.  Are we able to point others to Jesus and release them in their journey. 

Step 2: The 2 disciples stay with Jesus for the day.  Imagine what they would have talked about during that day- the questions, the curiosity they would have had about Jesus. They wanted to get to know Jesus, so they spent time with Him.  Do we want to get to know Jesus? Do we spend time with Him to get to know Him more?  Do we set aside time for retreat to have a day with the Lord? Why not look at your diary this coming week and lock in a retreat before the diary gets filled with other things.  If we are not able to spend a day with Him, why not commit to one hour regular adoration either online or in person. It is a wonderful way to get to know Jesus and to get to know ourselves before Him. 

 Step 3: Andrew finds his brother and tells him about Jesus.  You will notice that from his own experience of Jesus, he tells Peter about Jesus. Andrew realises that they have found the Messiah.  Because he has spent time with Him, he is able to say that they had found the Messiah.  What experience have we had that we can share with others about Jesus so that we can say like Andrew ' We have found the Messiah'.  Personal testimony is very powerful.

 Step 4: Andrew brings Simon Peter to Jesus.  The Gospel does not tell us whether Peter came to Jesus because of his brother’s testimony only or whether from his testimony, his own heart was sparked. What is important though is that Peter came to  see Jesus.  What does this mean for us?  When people come to the church, they may be coming for a whole range of reasons which may/may not be initially helpful to their faith journey. When they encounter Jesus, these reasons will find their own place and their faith journey with Jesus begins. It is not the initial motives that are important since these can be purified along the way, rather it is for those of us who know Jesus to introduce Him to other people. What are we doing to bring other people to Jesus? What commitment will I make this coming year to bring other people to Jesus? eg invite people to Alpha course in your parish or set up an Alpha course in your parish or simply ask someone to come to Mass with you.

 

Step 5: When encountering Jesus, Simon’s name was changed to Peter.  He received the call. What do we do to encourage vocations?  Do we pray for vocations sincerely? Do we walk alongside those studying for priesthood and give them support?
Changing a name is significant. It is giving a person a new identity-a new role, a new mission.  When we encounter Jesus, are we given a new identity, a new role or a new mission.  How are we changed when we encounter Jesus?

 

This Gospel therefore provides us with much food for thought and food for action as well. What difference will this Gospel make to our lives this coming week/this coming year.

 

Collect Series: Collect for Solemnity of Epiphany

 COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT PRAYER

The Collect for the Solemnity of Epiphany Year B reads as follows:

 

O God, who on this day 

revealed Your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, 

grant in Your mercy, that we who know You already by faith, 

may be brought to behold the beauty your subline glory. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged:

 

1. How has God revealed Himself to You in your life?
2. How will God be King of my heart this coming week?
3. How will Jesus shine brightly in my life this coming year?
4. What are the shadows of my world which I need to address this coming year
5. How can I reach the brightness of Heaven this coming week? 
6. What steps will I take to start the process/start again?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

 Today’s Gospel is from Mt 2:1-12.  In this Gospel we hear a distinct contrast in the way  the 3 Wise men from the East and Herod reacted to the news of the birth of Jesus.  The Wise men did homage and then opened their gifts, whilst Herod, fearful  of losing power and status was insincere in his intention of doing homage but wanted to kill the baby.  He perceived the birth of Jesus as a threat to his power whereas the Wise men accepted the prophecies from Scripture  and wanted to genuinely find this new born King.

We may wish to ask ourselves as we ponder this Gospel which character do we identify most in our lives. Are we fearful and territorial at work fearing that someone else may be promoted and not us?  Do we know how to give Jesus homage and worship Him?  Do we spend any time in our prayer adoring the Lord or are our prayers focused on our needs or needs of others?  Intercessory prayer is good but are we only asking God for our needs – in a sense using Him rather than being in relationship with Him.  I am sure we have all had relationships where we have felt used rather than appreciated, loved and respected.  What about God- do we adore and give Him full attention at Mass and in our prayer time?

Many parishes still have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  It is a wonderful opportunity to spend time worshiping and praising Jesus in this way. Even if your parish does not have adoration, do not let that stop you from incorporating adoration of the Blessed Sacrament into our prayer and spiritual lives.  We can still gain the benefit of it if we approach it with faith. Nothing is impossible with God.  Jesus will know our desire to spend time with Him and will come to us via online adoration.

On the Solemnity of Epiphany, we can review our spiritual lives and ask ourselves which star are we following?  Are we following Jesus, the light of the world who will shine in our darkness/sin and help us or are we following the star of fame, fortune and power like Herod? 

If you have not made adoration of the Blessed Sacrament part of your prayer life up to this point, why not review your prayer life and commitments and make adoring the Lord a priority in your week either in person in your parish or another parish or online. 

You may wish to  sing today The First Nowell 

About The Mass Series; Communion Rite Part 14 Breaking of the Bread

 

About the Mass Series: Communion Rite Part 14

‘THE RITE OF BREAKING OF THE BREAD’.

From the historical perspective, conforming to the rite of Passover meal, Christ took bread into his hands, pronounced the prayer of praise and then broke the bread.  The Classical explanation of the breaking and sharing of the one bread is given by St. Paul: 

‘The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (I Corinthians 10:16-7).  

Because the loaf of bread is one, we though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf’. In other words, Christ gives to all the one bread, which is His body. Just as this bread has become the body of Christ, so those who share this one bread, whatever be their diversity, becomes one body in Christ.

You will remember when I wrote about the Presentation of the Gifts previously, that the people provided the bread and wine and also at times oil, candles, wheat, grapes and other items of precious value to them for the Eucharist. It was carried to the altar by the deacons and presented to the bishop.  So the Rite of the breaking of the Bread became quite elaborate as the number of Christians increased. 

With the adoption of the unleavened bread and the small hosts in the 12^th century, the rite of the breaking of the bread became more symbolic. The priest breaks the bread over the paten, ensuring that at least some of the people receive portions from the large host broken at this time.  However, even when a smaller priest size host is used, the host is still broken to represent that Christ was broken for us through His death. We must always remember that the Mass is a re-presentation of Christ's death.

Breaking of the bread before Mass destroys the significance of the symbolic gesture and is liturgically incorrect. The breaking of the bread must always be done reverently, because the bread is at this stage of the Mass already consecrated- it really is Christ (body, blood, soul and divinity).