“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst.:
Mass: Introductory Rites and Penitential Rite
Last week, I wrote on how Jesus thirsts for the salvation of our souls. He desires us to give Him our sins. So that he can be our Savior. The Sacrament of Reconciliation we can say is a preparation of our own hearts and souls for when we sin after Baptism. It prepares us to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and remain in the friendship with God.
Preparation is important! When we think in terms of a meal, there is a lot of preparation that goes into preparing and serving a meal. Depending on the entrée, preparation can take twenty minutes, an hour or maybe two. You need to wash, clean, and chop the vegetables. Season your choice of meat. To eat, someone must set the table with plates, cups, napkins, and utensils. Those who hunger and thirst must prepare for the food and drink they receive. It is common practice to wash our hands before we eat and to say prayer before a meal.
If we prepare to receive an ordinary meal, why would we not prepare to receive Jesus, the Lamb of God in the Eucharist? As a priest, I prepare for Mass even before I celebrate Mass. I read and study the Scriptures to be proclaimed at each Mass. I prepare by offering everything to God and praying for all of you. I spend time in the chapel asking God to make me worthy of celebrating the Sacrifice of the Mass. I pray in the sacristy as I place my vestments on. I pray because I want to be spiritually prepared to celebrate the greatest thing in the world, the Holy Mass.
If we take the time to prepare for Mass, our experience of Mass is much richer than if we don’t prepare. Our own preparations for Mass even begin at home before we arrive to Church. The required one hour fast from food or drink (water and medicine are permitted) helps us prepare our hearts and bodies to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Perhaps some of us have a practice of reading the Sunday Mass readings beforehand or we say our own prayers before Mass begins.
The Introductory Rites of the Mass help us enter the Mass and prepare our hearts to receive God. Mass begins with the procession of the cross, candles, book of the Gospels, and priest process to the altar. All stand in reverence for Jesus Christ, who’s presence is brought forth.
We carry in the cross of Christ as we begin to celebrate the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Jesus, the light of the world, came to dispel the darkness of sin and death. The candles brought in procession represent the light of Christ.
The book of Gospels represents the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Those serving may genuflect before the tabernacle if it resides in the sanctuary or a simple bow to the altar.
The priest and deacon reverence the altar by kissing it. The early Christians celebrated Mass on the tombs of the saints and would venerate the relics. The priest kisses the altar out of reverence for the tomb of Christ and out of veneration of the tombs of the saints.
Christ is present in three ways within the Mass:
Jesus is sacramentally present in the priest as he celebrates the sacraments in the person of Jesus Christ the head.
Christ is present in the Word of God proclaimed from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament and the Gospels.
He is present in the community gathered. Lastly, Christ is present body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Eucharist.
The structure of the Mass is ordered in a way that allows us to prepare to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist. Once the procession is over, the Mass begins while calling upon God in the Trinity. “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” We call upon all the persons of the Trinity out of reverence to the Holy of name of God. It is a call of gathering for God’s people to begin praying.
Next the priest, addresses the people in a greeting. The most common greeting is “The Lord be with you.” And the people respond. “And with your spirit.” This simple greeting reminds us that God is always with and among us. We rely on the goodness and graces of God for everything in this life.
The Penitential Act of the Mass is like washing your hands before dinner. The priest begins this part of the Mass with “Brothers and sisters let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.” We are called to prepare ourselves for Mass. It is a calling to mind the ways in which we failed to live up to God’s standards.
It is an acknowledgement of our sinfulness but also it is our cry to God to have mercy on us. We call upon the intercession of the saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary to aid us. It is the effects of the Eucharist that frees us from venial sin, those sins that do not destroy our relationship with God and divine charity. The absolution the priest offers within Mass does not forgive mortal sin. Mortal sin must be confessed in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The Gloria is a hymn of praise to God for the work of His of redemption. This hymn is not sung during the seasons of Advent or Lent.
Lastly, after we’ve prepared for Mass through calling upon God’s name and mercy. We close everything up with the Collect Prayer or opening prayer. All the prep work from the beginning of Mass leads us here. This prayer leads us in preparation to hear God’s word proclaimed and expounded upon.
We who “hunger and thirst”, should prepare to receive the living God in the Scriptures and in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Our preparation allows us to be disposed to receiving God’s grace and mercy in Mass. Next time you attend Mass, how will prepare to receive God’s grace more fully?