 |
|
| Encountering Christ in the Mass
Patrick Gorman |
Second in a series.
One of the most powerful gifts of the Mass and other Sacramental celebrations is that we encounter Christ face-to-face.
In the Gospels, if someone encountered Jesus, his or her life was changed.
First, there were the disciples, to whom Jesus said, “come after me,” and they left their possessions and followed him.
Lives were changed through his healing of the sick. Then there was the woman at the well, the young lawyer, Zaccheus, and the woman caught in adultery.
All were changed in some way by their encounter with Jesus. Like them, we too have a chance to encounter Jesus Christ, risen from the dead.
“. . . Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations.
“He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of His minister, ‘the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on the cross,” but especially under the Eucharistic species. By his power, he is present in the sacraments, so that when a man baptizes, it is really Christ Himself who baptizes.
“He is present in his word, since it is he himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the Church. He is present, lastly, when the Church prays and sings, for He promised: ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Matt. 18:20).”
From Vatican II’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, no. 7
Christ is present in the Eucharist
A core belief for every Catholic is that Jesus Christ is Sacramentally present in the Eucharistic species. He offers himself to us in the form of bread and wine. The substance of bread and wine are changed completely into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.
This is where the word transubstantiation comes from — the substance changes completely from bread and wine to the Body and Blood of the Lord.
Unfortunately, it still looks like bread and wine. We have to look with eyes of faith, which see beyond what our earthly eyes see, and gaze upon the reality that we receive the Body and Blood of the Lord.
St. Thomas Aquinas wrote a beautiful hymn about the Eucharist called Pange Lingua Gloriosi, which reflects upon the Eucharistic reality: “Faith alone may safely guide us where the senses may not lead.”
The Church considers this the presence of Christ which we treasure above all others. Christ was sacrificed for us, Christ feeds us, strengthens us, and grafts us onto the vine which we call the Mystical Body of Christ.
Help my unbelief
This can be a difficult belief for some. If it is for you, ask God to strengthen your belief in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. Your prayer can be that of the father of the demon-possessed boy in Mark’s Gospel, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (see Mark 9:14-29).
Some people quote St. Thomas the Apostle when the priest elevates the host and the chalice during the Eucharistic Prayer, saying “My Lord and my God” (see John 20:24-39).
One other way to deepen your belief is by reminding yourself and acting like the reception of Holy Communion is the most solemn and joyful event of the week (it truly is). Approach and receive with care and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for this tremendous gift. Let your life be changed by Christ!
Patrick Gorman is the director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Madison.