Whys of the Mass Part VI
By Mike Lambrecht
This week, we are continuing our examination of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Immediately following the anamnesis we
proclaim the mystery of faith. “This simple acclamation proclaims belief in the Resurrection of the Lord whose death we have just mystically witnessed.”1 The Eucharistic Prayer then continues.
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer is the Doxology. In this proclamation, the body and blood of our Lord are raised up by the priest and “God the Father is offered the Son through the power of the Holy Spirit.”2
At the conclusion of the Doxology comes “The Great Amen.” In this Amen we are making the Eucharistic Prayer our own and affirm our joyfulness and thankfulness for the miracle that has just taken place before us.
We then rise to pray the “Our Father.” As you know, the “Our Father” was the prayer taught by Jesus to his apostles. It has been prayed since the very beginning of the Church. “The full meaning of the Our Father is revealed in the Eucharist since its petitions are based on the mystery of salvation already accomplished, petitions that will be fully heard at the coming of the Lord.”3 This prayer is followed by the priest reiterating our prayer to be delivered from evil until Christ comes again.
Next comes the sign of peace. This is an important part of the Mass. Since we have already been reconciled to God in the penitential rite and we have already acknowledged our belief in the teachings of Christ through His Church in the profession of our faith, the final step before we receive communion involves making sure we are reconciled to our neighbors. “If any one says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.”4 The Gospel of Matthew also speaks of this when it states, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”5 Since most people are comfortable with a handshake, it makes sense that we respect the personal boundaries of others when making the sign of peace. The Church offers this directive in reference to the sign of peace, “It is, however, appropriate that each person offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner.”6 In addition, “If you are sick or have a cold, it is prudent to tell those around you at the sign of peace and to wish them peace at the same time.”7
Next time we will conclude our examination of the Mass with the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites.
1 The How-To Book of the Mass p.176-177.
2 The How-To Book of the Mass p.180.
3 CCCC #581. For more information on the meaning of the “Our Father,” please see CCC #s 2761-2856.
4 1 John 4:20
5 Matthew 5:23-24
6 GIRM #82
7 The How-To Book of the Mass p.196.