IN KEEPING WITH A PROMISE…

I said I’d write about liturgy in general for a while, in preparation for the introduction of the translation of the Roman Missal, 3^rd Typical Edition. So I will take the lead, this time, from the Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium, or SC) and make a comment or two about “presence.” But let’s start with a quote from the document itself paragraph 7:

…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” [Council of Trent, Session 22, “Doctrine on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,” c. 2], 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 [Cf. St. Augustine, Tractatus in Iohannem, VI, n. 7; PL 35, 1428]. 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).

We recognize that the Presence of our Lord is a special and unique one in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. But we are here reminded that that Presence comes to us in multiple ways on Sunday morning. The Presence in Word is why we carry the Book of Gospels in procession, why we stand when those words (His words) are proclaimed, and why the deacon (or priest) kisses the Book of Gospels after the proclamation. If Jesus was right at Nazareth (“Today these words are fulfilled in your hearing”—Luke 4:21), those words are also fulfilled (and He made present) today, as well, for us.

The theological language describing priestly ministry of the Sacraments comes to us from St. Ambrose (4^th century)—the priest stands in persona Christi (in ‘place’ of Christ) in such a way that the true minister of the Sacraments is Christ Himself (through the priest). So the sacramental encounter in Reconciliation, in Baptism, in Anointing of the Sick, is an encounter with the risen Lord, present for us because of His love for us.

Sometimes we forget that we (yes, “we”) are also a vehicle of the Presence, if/when we are gathered “in His Name.” This is why Canon Law (#906) prohibits what used to be called “private Masses,” with the priest alone (without even a server), except in cases of extraordinary need (not simple priestly preference or convenience). I cannot theologically say “I am the Body of Christ,” but I can say “We are the Body of Christ”—even 2 or 3 gathered… This is the humility of our Lord!

We all “know” the teaching of the Church on the Real Presence in the Eucharist, but how many of us behave as though we believe it? There is much, in many churches, that speaks of casual non-belief rather than recognizing we have come into the house of Someone who is there, waiting for us. Should we ignore the Host in order to speak only to the other guests? We should not ignore the other guests, either; balance and reverence and recognition of Reality should what carries the day. Small things can make a difference: genuflecting toward the Tabernacle (not just in a generic location or because of force of habit); personal private prayer to Him before we greet others; full participation in the liturgy to the extent that we can (more on this topic in another essay); a spirit of gratitude for the love of God poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5—a favorite passage of St. Augustine).

In so many ways He is present to us; are we present to Him?