March 2010 A.D.
Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

Our last discussion served to refresh our memories on the parts of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we have discussed thus far. The review helped us recall some of the liturgical terms we have learned and how those terms describe specific parts of the sacrifice we offer to God through His priest.

We continued our series by learning about the Memorial and Offering. When the priest offers the words “…look with favor on your Church’s offering and see the Victim…” he makes us part of the memorial and offering. We offer our gifts – we sacrifice to God. Saint Paul encourages us in our sacrifice with these words; “I urge you, therefore, by the mercies of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). We ask God to help purify our bodies so they are a suitable sacrifice and join our bodies to Christ’s on the Cross – our memorial – our offering – our sacrifice. Through the memorial we become “one body one spirit in Christ.”

The memorial (anamnesis) and the invocation (epiclesis) are connected is a special way. By remembering what God has done (anamnesis) we have confidence to ask and expect God to answer our prayer (epiclesis). This leads us to the Petitions we offer in the Eucharistic prayers. Our petitions involve both memorials and invocations. We use specific names that make our prayer personal and the names help us remember those we mention. Mary, Peter & Paul, the martyrs, and saints are examples of our memorial prayers. The Pope, bishops, clergy, and ourselves (“those for whom we now pray”) are part of the invocation prayers.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, & Melchizedek are examples of why we use names in our memorial prayers, the names remind us of events surrounding that person. Abram becomes Abraham, “our father in faith.” His son Isaac is a type of Christ and carries the wood for the sacrifice. Abram wins a battle and offers “a tenth of everything” to Melchizedek (Genesis 14). Melchizedek, the priest king of Salem, “offers bread and wine” to “the living God” as a celebration of Abram’s victory made possible by God. This is why we need to know the people named in the petitions and should put forth some effort to learn their story - - - after all - - - their story - - - is our story.

These petitions also remind us of the Church’s universal nature; a nature that stretches beyond time and space. Past, present, and future are all present in the Mass. Heaven and earth are joined on the altar with the sacrifice we have brought to the celebration. The priest offers them to the Father, on our behalf.

The petitions also remind us of the three fold communion of saints. The Church triumphant and suffering (heaven & purgatory) are the memorial, while the Church militant is the epiclesis part of the petitions. We become more aware of who we are - - who we were intended to be - - and whose we are. Our name becomes part of the petitions we offer to God in the Mass. Our names become part of the story.

Listening to and learning the stories of the names in the Eucharistic prayers will help us understand our relationship with God and strengthen our relationships with one another. We are part of salvation history and our Christian example will help others return to God.

We learn more about our participation next time when we discuss the Doxology and the Great Amen. May God help each of us grow closer to Him during the Holy Season of Lent.