August 2009 A.D.
Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

Last month we discussed the Epiclesis and the Holy Spirit’s role in the Mass. This is the same Spirit that hovered over the water at creation, the same Spirit that was with the Israelites throughout their history, the same Spirit that was with Mary at the incarnation, and the same Spirit that was with Jesus during His work on earth. The Trinitarian God is present at every Mass, at every hour, throughout the world. This Holy Spirit will change our offering – the bread and wine – into the Body and Blood of Jesus. This mystery becomes a reality when the priest speaks the Institution Narrative, also known as the Consecration.

The Institution Narrative brings the Jewish Passover meal to its fulfillment in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. The apostolic priesthood joins the earthly man, a creature of God, with Jesus the God-man and creator of man. This union, accomplished through the Holy Spirit, lets the priest act in persona Christi (in the person of Christ) and as alter Christus (another Christ). The priest can then speak the Eucharist into existence just like God spoke the universe into existence. The words are those of Jesus. The words he spoke at the Last Supper, but not all of them. We focus on the words about bread and wine; the words that instituted the Eucharist. Let’s explore these words and what happens when they are spoken by the priest.

These words come to the forefront as the priest continues his role as our mediator before God the Father. The Eucharistic prayer tells the story of the Last Supper and brings it to life by re-presenting the Calvary sacrifice using Jesus’ words and actions by the priest. Heaven and earth meet on the altar during this perfect prayer by raising oru hearts and minds to God and God comes closer for us to hear, see, feel, touch, & taste.

The priest recounts the story to God the Father for our benefit. The priest takes the role of Jesus and acts out the story to help us live the moment with Jesus. The priest’s gestures include things like picking up the bread when he tells us that Jesus “took the bread.” When he tells us that Jesus looked up to heaven, he looks up to heaven just as Jesus did. Soon the priest comes to the words Jesus spoke; when he does, he bows slightly and speaks the words of Jesus. This is a major shift because the story has shifted from taking place in the past to happening now – in the present – and we are there while it happens – we are part of the sacrifice. The priest speaks the words of Jesus “Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you.” The priest is then silent; he elevates the Eucharist before God the Father as our offering. We look at the Eucharist while he elevates it and are in awe of what just happened – we adore and worship our God who is now before us. The priest then genuflects in adoration and as a sign of The Church’s faith in this miraculous moment. We contemplate the mystery that has just unfolded for our salvation. These actions are repeated with the wine so that it becomes the blood of Jesus and we repeat our adoration and contemplation.

Consider it; God has come down from heaven and we have been lifted up to heaven. Bread and wine have been changed to the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus our Savior. God becomes man, sacrifices himself and dies for our sins, makes us part of that sacrifice during each and every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and all under the little form of bread and wine. God puts forth all of that loving effort so that we can return to the garden where we were created and to way he created us – sinless. What a wonderful mystery and miracle God creates for us through Holy Mother Church.

Next time we will discuss the “Mystery of Faith.” Please pray for our priests during this Year for Priests and check the link at www.usccb.org for more info on what others are doing for their priests. August 15th is the feast of Mary’s Assumption. Pray a Rosary on that day and ask Mary to send us many holy priests. Remember to check Thank God for the rain and enjoy the summer.