Gueranger Would be Proud

"O come, let us worship God and bow low before the God who made us, for he is the Lord our God."

This was actually the Introductory Verse for the Mass of the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, but as I am not doing a meditation upon it specifically, I thought it an appropriate Psalm to reflect briefly upon. Within this single line from Psalm 95, we sum up the single most important, and I would dare say, entire purpose of the Liturgy. But not only is this the Introductory Verse for the aforementioned Sunday, but it is actually recited every day as the ordinary Invitatory to the Liturgy of the Hours, although the entire psalm is recited at that point.

I feel it is also important to look at the Latin word used here for worship. It is adoremus, which is we may more properly translate to as, "Let us adore." This is essential for our understanding, because we can recall the traditional four points of the Mass. To offer adoration to God, to express contrition for our sins, to give thanks for His many blessings, and to present supplication for our various needs and necessities. Those four points were also traditionally thought to be listed in order of importance.

I however, propose that ultimately, the aim of the Liturgy is singularly to offer adoration to God. The other three points will flow from that. For this end, while I admit that I have do not have the skill to replicate what various liturgists have done before me, I will hereby attempt to give a brief meditation for each part of the Mass, as many may be unfamiliar with how to meditate upon each stage of the Mass.

I then propose to attempt to stir up the following affections within your heart during each of the parts of the Mass.

As the procession of the ministers to the sanctuary begins, realize that it is indeed a heavenly procession which is taking place. The angels and saints are present at the Mass; the priest is proceeding to the altar to do a divine action. Adore God, and once again recollect yourself so that you may join in all the prayers to adore your Lord.

If the altar is incensed, focus what specific intentions you would like to offer this Mass for, and let them ascend with the incense, "to the altar of God."

As you make the Sign of the Cross, again adore God and realize that from this moment to the end of Mass, you have consecrated yourself to the Almighty and Merciful God.

At the "Dominus vobiscum," recall that you are only able to perform these prayers and understand what is about to take place because of the Spirit Who dwells within you. Then as you respond with the "Et cum spiritu tuo," pray that God will give grace to his unworthy minister to perform the Holy Actions in such a way that you may gain the greatest benefit for your soul and for all the Church.

During the Penitential Rite, do not only recall your sins, but think especially about God's goodness and how your sins have offended Him, Who created you, and holds you in existence in His love. Rebuke yourself for your failings and call out to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for mercy!

After inspiring contrition in your soul, let your heart then burst forth with the praise of God! Join with the Angelic Host in their adoration of God. Meditate upon all of His wondrous deeds and let your heart overflow with thanks and praise.

Now recollect yourself again after this great expression of love and listen attentively to what the Church prays for in the Collect. Join these petitions to your own intentions and adore God, Who alone can grant them, "Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit."

As the Readings begin, open your mind and heart to listen to God's word. Think deeply about how God has fulfilled and provided for His people through the ages. Let this awaken thoughts of adoration within you.

Then, during the Responsorial Psalm, let these affections from the First Reading continue as you join with the Church in Her prayers of thanks, supplication, or contrition.

Again let your heart and mind be opened during the Second Reading, as you are faced with the Divine Love, Who became man and died for your salvation.

Let this love and adoration which has been nurtured in you, burst forth in the Alleluia, where you join with all the angels and saints in the heavenly song of praise, for God is about to speak to you in a more profound way, as it is most especially through the Gospels that the words of Christ are given to us.

With the beginning of the Gospel, make the sign of the Cross on your forehead, so that your mind might be opened to the Spirit, on your lips, so that you might proclaim the words you hear in the Gospel, and in your heart, so that the Spirit of God may dwell in it and bring you to the perfection of the Father. Then, during the Gospel, understand the greatness of God the Son, Who took on a human nature, so that He might speak to us in our own way. You cannot help but adore your King and Lord at these thoughts.

Moving into the Creed, do not hesitate to profess your faith in all that Christ and His Church have taught. Throughout this profession, recall all of the marvelous works of God, and let yourself adore Him yet again. Ask for a deeper increase of faith, and at the end remember the ultimate goal of your life - to reach the Beatific Vision in Heaven.

Let this devotion move you into the Universal Prayers. Join with the Church yet again to pray for all peoples. This is a reminder of the true nature of the Church, for these prayers embrace all people. Let your intentions be joined into these, so that you might now go to the altar in union with the Church.

And now join the priest at the altar in your heart. As the chalice is unveiled and the gifts are presented, so open up your heart to God and present yourself to Him. Pray that His Spirit may again enter you and help you in offering yourself in union with the Divine Victim about to be offered.

As the priest offers the bread, praise God who has created you from the dust of the earth. Offer yourself, weak though you are, so that Jesus may make you the, "salt of the earth," and, "light of the world."

As the water and wine are poured and mixed, continue to pray that the Holy Spirit may come to dwell in you, so that you might die to yourself and rise one with Christ.

Then, as the chalice is offered, again praise God, for He is deigning to come to you, to unite you to Himself. Pray that the image of Jesus Christ may be radiant in you. In this way you will live in union with the Sacrifice about to be offered.

But before any of this can take place, you will surely be reminded of all your sinful failings and how you have failed to be this image of Christ to the world. As the priest prays silently bent over the offerings, so pray that God may accept you as you are, with all your sinful failings, and by His grace work these miracles.

With this prayer for mercy, turn your heart with affection then to God, and trust that just as the incense rises up to Him, all of your petitions will rise to His altar. You will be presented with the Divine Offering about to be made present; you will be made into the image of Christ.

Yet again overcome with your sinfulness, pray that God will again cleanse you, just as the priest's hands are cleansed by the washing with water. Throughout the rest of the Mass, we will again be presented with these two ideas - praise and adoration of the immense blessings of God and contrition due to our own sins and failings.


The "Orate Fratres" through the end of the Eucharistic Prayer will be included in the next blog post.