Divine Liturgy and the Sacraments of the Church
The previous installment left off with the second definition relative to the Mass as stated by the Council of Trent. This bulletin picks up the thread to continue that definition.
Unfortunately, these defined statements of infallible doctrine are not being, what a safe statement, are not being circulated or published or taught widely in nominally Catholic circles today. And, if you look at the weekly parish bulletins in one diocese after another, you will notice that very few refer to the Eucharist as the Mass. It is given many titles, like the liturgy, like the Eucharist, but to be a Catholic means to believe that Christ instituted the sacrifice of the Mass. So what is the Council of Trent solemnly teaching us? We are being told that the sacrifice of the Mass is a true sacrifice in which Jesus really, truly, offers himself to his heavenly Father, no less than he did on the cross. What are we saying? We are affirming with the infallible Church that the Mass is a true sacrifice. Why? Because the same Jesus really present on the altar through the words of the priest’s consecration is in the Mass. It is the same identical priest who died on Calvary, who now offers the same victim, namely himself. Christ offers himself no less now than he offered himself at the Last Supper. Christ ordained his Apostles priests when he told them as we said before, “Do this in remembrance of me.” At the Last Supper, Jesus did more than merely change bread and wine into his own living, human self. At the Last Supper he began the Mass, the first one, which was completed on Good Friday the moment Christ expired. In the Mass is the same identical Jesus, as we’ve said before and reemphasize now, Christ can no longer die. Christ can no longer shed his own blood, but the heart of sacrifice is in the will. When God became man, the main reason he became man was to assume a human will so that on the cross he could offer himself in sacrifice, offer himself as a man who faith tells us, was the living God.
Very well. It is the same Jesus now present on the altar and he has, therefore, not just a human body and human blood, he has a human will. If he could die, he would, in every Mass that is offered. We know what a sacrament is. A sacrament is something that Christ instituted that externally, visibly, signifies what is effected internally, what is done externally. There are two consecrations. First of the bread and then of the wine. Why the double consecration? To signify that just as on the cross on Calvary, Christ drained his blood from his living body and thus died. So the double consecration is a sign, the index if you wish, the manifestation, of Christ’s willingness to die again if he could. But the willingness to die is there. Why? Because it is a real man who is true God who offers himself every time that Mass is offered to his heavenly Father. To be continued....
Add a commentDivine Liturgy and the Sacraments of the Church
The previous edition of the bulletin left off with the discussion of the renewed devotion to the Eucharist inspired by modern popes.
As previously mentioned last week, Pope John Paul II composed a prayer, worthy of being repeated of which the following are significant quotations. Lord, "stay with us."
These words were spoken for the first time by the disciples at Emmaus. In the course of the centuries, they have been spoken infinite times, by the lips of so many of your disciples and confessors, O Christ.
As Bishop of Rome and first servant of this temple, which stands on the place of St. Peter's martyrdom, I, (meaning Pope John Paul II) speak the same words today. Stay! That we may meet you in prayer of adoration and thanksgiving, in prayer of expiation and petition, to which all those who visit St. Peter’s Basilica are invited.
Stay! You who are at one and the same time veiled in the Eucharistic mystery of faith, and also revealed under the species of bread and wine, which you have assumed in this Sacrament. The Eucharist is at the same time a constant announcement of your second coming and the sign of the final Advent, and also of the expectation of the whole Church.
Every day and every hour we wish to adore you, veiled under the species of bread and wine, to renew hope of the "call to glory" which you began with your glorified body "at the Father's right hand."
May the unworthy successor of Peter in the Roman See - and all those who take part in the adoration of your Eucharistic Presence - attest with every visit of theirs, and make ring out again the truth contained in the apostle's words: "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Amen.
In one diocese after another, bishops have encouraged the adoration of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament by the faithful. In a world that is groping in darkness, the Church is telling people that Christ, "the light of the world" and "the power of salvation" is on earth to teach us and strengthen us on the road to heaven. All we need is to believe that He is here and ready to provide us with what we need.
Next week’s column will launch into the Holy Eucharist as Sacrifice Sacrament. Even though the language seems strange, it was Blessed Pope John Paul II who distinguished the Holy Eucharist as a sacrament three times over.
To be continued....
Divine Liturgy and the Sacraments of the Church
Last Sunday’s bulletin concluded with three of our best known Eucharistic hymns. Today we will take a look at the Reservation and Veneration of the Most Holy Eucharist.
No less than eleven canons of the new Code of Canon Law deal with "the Reservation and Veneration of the Most Holy Eucharist." They cover every significant aspect of Catholic veneration of the Holy Eucharist.
The Sacrament is to be reserved in every cathedral, parish church and church or oratory of a religious institute or society of apostolic life (Canon 934).
The church should be open to the faithful, "at least some hours each day so that they are able to spend some time in prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament" (Canon 937).
The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved should be situated in a distinguished place in the church or oratory, a place which is conspicuous, suitably adorned, and conducive to prayer" (Canon 938).
In one country after another, adoration of the Holy Eucharist has developed beyond anything seen in previous generations. Groups have been formed among the laity for this purpose. Some are local organizations associated with a single parish church or public oratory. Others reach out across the nation and even to other countries. Their common denominator is an intense desire to profess one's faith in Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist, and to pray for the desperate help that people need in today's convulsive society.
Modern popes have not only supported this renewed devotion to the Eucharist, but have done all they could to set the example for bishops to follow. Thus Pope John Paul II established the daily exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Peter's Basilica. Every day, Monday through Friday, the Blessed Sacrament has been exposed all day, from Latin Mass in the morning until Italian Vespers in the evening. Two Sisters are in adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St. Peter's. Pilgrims to Rome join in their prayers before the Holy Eucharist.
When the Perpetual Eucharistic Exposition opened, Pope John Paul II composed a prayer of which the following are significant quotations. Lord, "stay with us."
These words were spoken for the first time by the disciples at Emmaus. In the course of the centuries, they have been spoken infinite times, by the lips of so many of your disciples and confessors, O Christ. To be continued....
Add a comment
