While I highly recommend it for those interested in the history of the Liturgy, as it presents a rather unbiased history (which is hard to find in liturgical related books), it has also inspired me to consider adding an additional blog post topic. The current schedule is set to be philosophical posts on Wednesdays and meditations on Mondays. However, I'm thinking about instead doing a Sunday meditation on Saturdays, a Mass part examinations using my philosophical approach on Tuesdays, and and a philosophical/my thoughts post on Thursdays. Please comment and let me know what you think, or anything else you would like to hear.
Now continuing the Mass meditation, picking up at the beginning of the Communion Rite:
Our Lord is now present upon the altar, and what joy and adoration this must bring to faithful souls! During the Eucharistic Prayer, we have offered our various prayers and petitions to God, but we must remember that our Lord gave us the perfect prayer. It is only fitting that to conclude our intentions, we should pray, "in the words our Savior gave us." Therefore, during the Our Father, know that you are perfectly praying for all of your various needs and intentions, due to this great gift of Jesus.
The words which follow, by the priest, are a beginning where we will begin to emphasize the sacramental nature of the Eucharist instead of the sacrificial which we have been focusing so heavily upon. The priest prays for deliverance from evil, peace, and mercy, so that we may be ready for the Paraousia. All of these graces can be accomplished in us through this single reception of the Eucharist if we are open to receive them.
Give glory and praise to God then for this great gift by promising Him your lifelong service in the words, "For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever." Be reminded of the great promise that Jesus gave to His followers, "Peace I leave you, my peace I give you (Jn. 14:27)." This peace was won for you by the victory of the Cross; let this Communion be a reminder for you, however, that you are called to bring this peace to the world.
As the priest breaks the Host and drops the Particle into the Chalice, realize the only way you may obtain peace. It is through the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, symbolized at this moment. As you pray the Angus Dei, then, pray for this peace of soul. But this peace is deeper; it comes from a true relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the knowledge gained by experiencing His love. Pray then, that Jesus, the Lamb of God, may grant this peace to you in His mercy.
However, this peace can only truly and fully be obtained through the Sacraments. Prepare you soul then for this reception of Communion! Pray that it may heal you and strengthen you for the journey to your Heavenly home. But again, only by the grace of God may this take place in you. Recall the words you say - that only by His word can your soul be healed.
What a deep mystery this is! Only by God's grace may God's grace be present in your soul! Adore your God for this. His goodness and ways are so far beyond our understanding. He has deigned to provide this healing Food for your soul!
As you approach the minister for Holy Communion, let these two affections again be foremost in you. Adore your God, Who is so far above you, yet comes to you in this humble way - under the appearance of bread and wine. Pray also for the mercy of God, that He may work these great effects within you.
And now your very God is present within you! Adore Him! Words cannot express the affections you should have for Him at this moment. Adoration is the best word we may use. Meditate upon the words the priest uses as He purifies the vessels, " What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that what has been given to us in time may be our healing for eternity."
Do not, however, in this brief period, neglect to ask for the graces specific to the mystery of the day. This can easily be done by meditation upon the Communion Antiphon, another proper of the Mass. There are so many actions the soul can take at this point, when God is so mystically and truly united to it! How is it that anyone can say, "I get nothing out of Mass."? There are an infinity of ways to gain, if but make the smallest effort!
The Communion Rite is brought to its close by the Prayer after Communion. In this, again adore your God, Who dwells truly present within you. Beg Him that He may bring His graces to perfection in you so that you will be able to adore Him in the joy of the Beatific Vision.
The Sacrifice has been completed and the Sacrament received. We have given our adoration to God, Who by His own gracious will has inspired all of the foregoing sentiments within us. However, Christ's last commandment to His disciples was to, "go and teach all nations (Mt. 28:19)." This still holds true in our day. After we have spent our time in adoration and learning of Him, we must go and proclaim Him to the world by the witness of our lives!
The priest then will give you a final blessing for this task, as Jesus gave to His disciples at His Ascension (Lk 24:51). His last admonition then is the dismissal of the Mass. The most appropriate translation of "Ite missa est" would be, "Go, you are sent," or something along those lines. You are sent to be the light of the world and salt of the earth (Mt. 5:13-16)!
As the ministers leave the sanctuary and church, let your last sentiment be of adoration, to the God Who has entrusted you with this noble task.
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