A Journey through the Mass
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Last week we discussed the Entrance of the procession into the church with the cross leading and the priest, representing Christ, our host who has invited us, entering last. The cross guides us always so the priest standing behind the altar starts our worship with the Sign of the Cross as this gesture indicates that this event will make its force felt on our very bodies. The gesture is a sharing in the Death of Christ and a revelation of the Trinitarian mystery. This is the sign made at the moment of our baptism and our connection to our baptism is reaffirmed every time we approach the Holy Water Fount and bless ourselves. So it is that we begin our mass with the Sign of the Cross followed with the affirmation, Amen. The priest, representing Christ, follows with a greeting more profound than usual casual greetings when he says, “The Lord be with you.” The people respond with “and with your spirit.” The spirit of the priest means that deepest interior part of his being where he has been ordained precisely to lead the people in this sacred action. A harmony is now established between the assembly, the priest (representing Christ), and the Church throughout the world, which holds the faith that comes to us from the apostles.
IV. PENITENTIAL RITE
After we have gathered and welcomed the Lord into our midst. Just as Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord, we must prepare ourselves to listen to the Word of God and celebrate the great mysteries. This means mustering up the humility to acknowledge the truth of our behavior and weaknesses clear of rationalizations, denials and scapegoating. This stands in sharp contrast to what we are about to do. We are in the Presence of the all holy God, and we react first by begging for His mercy. We do this in front of the entire congregation as brothers and sisters of faith. Liturgy is not just about me and God; liturgy is about Jesus calling us together. Salvation is at hand as we sing, Kyrie eleison, Christi eleison, Kyrie eleison. God absolves us of our sins and we draw nearer to the Word and the Altar with a contrite heart listening to what God tells us.