Whys of the Mass Part VII
By Mike Lambrecht
After the sign of peace, we move into the Lamb of God. This calls to our minds the words of John the Baptist who said, “Behold the Lamb or God, who takes away the sin of the world.”1 During the Lamb of God, the priest breaks off a small piece of the host and places it in the chalice. The primary reason for this is that it signifies the resurrection in that once again Jesus body and blood are joined together. The second reason for this is that it signifies the unity of the Church. In the early Church, when the pope would say Mass a small part of the Eucharist was broken off and taken to other churches. While we do not continue to bring the Eucharist from Rome to our church, the action of breaking the bread was kept to remind us of this.2
Just before we receive communion the priest holds up the Eucharist and says a short prayer. We respond with “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” Our response comes from the Gospel of Luke and reminds us of the words of the faithful centurion.3
The Church asks us to make sure of two things before we receive communion. The first is that if we are conscious of any unconfessed grave sin in our lives, we should first go to reconciliation before receiving the Eucharist. The second thing the Church asks of us is that we fast from (refrain from eating) any food or drink for one hour prior to receiving communion. The exception to this rule is that water and medicine are always allowed. The Church gives us this requirement to protect us from committing another mortal sin. For, Saint Paul tells us that, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.”
The communion song then begins and the communion line is formed. “It is important to remember as we approach the altar that we receive Jesus. We do not grab or take Communion. It is offered to us by the priest or Eucharistic Minister.”4 Lastly, before receiving the Eucharist we should make a sign of reverence. The bishops of the United States have asked us to stand while receiving holy communion and to make a bow of the head prior to receiving the Eucharist as a sign of reverence.5 In the U.S. we are permitted to receive communion either in the hand or on the tongue. However, it should be noted that we have been granted permission to receive communion in the hand and that we may not be allowed to do so if we travel to other countries. Furthermore, we must respond with an “Amen” when presented with the Eucharist in either species. This “Amen” signifies three things:6
1. We believe that Jesus Christ is truly present under the appearance of bread (or wine).
2. We believe that all His Body, the Church, teaches is true.
3. We declare that we are members of His Body, the Church.
After receiving communion we should return to our seats where “we should use this time of intimate communion with our Lord to reflect upon the fruits of this Communion and to give thanks to the Lord for having joined Himself to us.”7
The priest then closes the Communion Rite with the prayer after communion. By responding with “Amen” we are joining in the prayer and making it our own.
Before we enter into the Concluding Rites, any announcements are made. Afterwards, we receive the final blessing and are sent forth into the world to spread the good news by our example and words.
The closing song follows. It is appropriate to wait in your pew until the song is completed. Afterwards, you should exit the pew by genuflecting towards the tabernacle as a sign of reverence for Christ, (or by bowing towards the altar if you are in a church without a visible tabernacle).
Lastly, it is always good practice to take a bulletin with you so that you can stay up to date on events and other information in the parish.
This concludes our brief study of the Mass. I hope that you have learned something in our time together over the past several weeks and that the Mass may have a greater meaning to you now and in the future to come.
1 John 1:29
2 The How-To Book of the Mass p.200.
3 Luke 7:6-7
5 The How-To Book of the Mass p.207.
5 GIRM #160.
6 The How-To Book of the Mass p.208.
7 The How-To Book of the Mass p.209-210.