Turn to the Lord - II

Ascensiontide, 2022

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations shall worship before him.” Psalm 22:27 

Parish Family-

Earlier this week a letter was sent out to discuss a slight liturgical change which will be put in place beginning this Sunday – the Feast of Pentecost. I would like to add a few more points to reflect on as we consider the way the Mass is celebrated, and what it might have to offer for our spiritual nourishment.

When the Priest offers the Eucharistic Prayer on the same side of the Altar as the People, it reminds us that the person acting is Jesus Christ himself. The Celebrant is simply the mouthpiece – the hands and feet – of Jesus, who is the true actor in the Mass. It is worth noting that the Priest repeats the Words of Institution in the first person, saying “This is my Body... This is my Blood,” rather than “This is Jesus’ Body... This is Jesus’ Blood.” Why? Because the person speaking is actually Jesus Christ. During these most sacred moments in the Mass, it is best for us to have our attention placed on our union with Jesus rather than on whoever happens to be the Celebrant. The traditional orientation aids us in this. The Congregation is able to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and his marvelous acts, rather than the particularities of the Priest. In this way, it is also a reminder that the Celebrant at Mass is truly interchangeable. Whether the person standing at the Altar is me or Fr Phelps or Bishop Reed or Fr What’s-his-name, is largely irrelevant. The person acting is Jesus Christ... and thank God for that! Archbishop Fulton Sheen sums it up well: “The Priest is really only a tool, but he is a tool in the sense that Aristotle called man a living tool. The vestments hide and submerge his own personality so that man may know it is Christ who teaches, who governs, and who sanctifies.”

The traditional orientation reminds us of the outward focus of the Church. This is to say that the Mass is inherently missional. When the Priest stands on the same side of the Altar as the People, the directional focus becomes outward looking rather than inward. Our worship is linear rather than a closed circle, directing our attention to the God who transcends time and space, and who calls us to go out to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:16-20). Thus, the Mass becomes a constant reminder that the Church exists for the conversion and transformation of the world. After all, the word “Mass” itself means to go, to be sent, or to be dismissed. Yes, the liturgy feeds us internally, as a family gathered around a table. But, as a sacrifice of thanksgiving which unites with the Lamb who is slain, it also should always drive us out to do the work of Jesus in the world! The traditional way of celebrating the Mass aids us in this way.

When you see the Priest standing at the front of the Altar, consider what he carries with him. I am often reminded of something else Archbishop Fulton Sheen reflected on in some of his writings. He pointed out that when the Priest goes to the Altar for worship, he carries with him the souls of every man, woman, and child as he walks up the steps. It is as though every care and concern, every blessing and temptation, every joy and sorrow, felt by every human being – both living and dead – is carried with him on the edges of his vestments. He takes with him before the throne of God every concern and intention for the entire human race. In our sacrifice of prayer and praise, we lay all these before the throne of Jesus Christ. Next time you see the Priest stand on the same side of the Altar as you, consider this incredible and wonderful thing... that we together offer the whole creation to Jesus Christ.

The liturgy is not a “spectator sport.” It is not like going to a football game, where the fans stand on the sidelines (being an Aggie, I can’t conceive of the idea of sitting during a football game!) and merely cheer on the players. It is not like a play, where the audience sits before the stage and observes the actors as they perform. Rather, it is a collective act in which we all play a part. The Mass is not merely the sacrifice offered by the Priest alone, but rather by the whole Church. Your reminder of this comes during the Offertory, when the Celebrant says, “Pray, brethren, that this my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.” The Priest and the Congregation are one in the liturgical act. We all may play slightly different roles in the liturgy, but each and every person does indeed have a role. The Congregation offers prayers before, during, and after the Mass. Mothers and fathers wrangle children – a sacrifice of time, energy, emotions, and willpower – to the glory of God. All sing, speak, kneel, stand, and sit, at the appointed times. The musicians and choir collectively offer the sacrifice of a joyful noise. The Celebrant, Deacon, Subdeacon, and Acolytes join together in the necessary actions within the Sanctuary, so that our worship may be orderly and beautiful. Ushers, greeters, guild members, visitors, and lifelong churchmen all play their part in one way or another. And all of it comes together as a single sacrifice of ourselves, our souls, and bodies, (BCP pg 336) in union with the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The more we ponder this great mystery, the more incredible it becomes! What happens in the Mass is not merely the action of the Priest, but of everyone and everything. The Church becomes a cosmic temple, in which the whole creation is offered to God, and receives back from him his own divine life. It is offered for, with, and by everyone. The word “liturgy,” after all, means “work of the people.” When we worship in the traditional manner, with the Priest on the same side of the Altar as the People, we can more clearly see the unity of this one sacrifice. There is no physical separation between Celebrant and Congregation. We together “turn to the Lord” (Psalm 22:27) and unite with the whole Church in the worship of Jesus Christ.

Remember, as with any liturgical change, we are presented with an opportunity to grow, to pray in a new way, to see from a new perspective, and to cultivate a deeper relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. In the coming weeks, as we rejoice in the season of Pentecost, I invite you to take a fresh look at our worship and to ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with love for God and one another.

In the love of our Lord,
Fr Joseph Francis SSC
Rector