The Mass as the Bridge between the
First and Second “Comings” of Christ
Part II
The figure of St. John the Baptist appears in the gospel today
on this Second Sunday of Advent. What do we know about
John? We know that he comes from elderly parents (an indication of a
prophet in line with the prophets of old); he leaps in the womb of St.
Elizabeth when Our Lady comes near (who is pregnant with Our Lord); he wears
the clothing of a prophet (camel hair) and eats modestly (honey and locusts —
yum!); and he comes at a time when many are not expecting the Messiah.
And what is his message? John [the] Baptist appeared in the
desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mk
1:4).
This message is appropriate for Advent because repentance is
necessary to greet the Lord Jesus. However, repentance is also imperative
for preparing ourselves to meet the Lord Jesus in every Mass.
The Mass is essentially composed of two major parts, the “Liturgy of the Word”
and the “Liturgy of the Eucharist.” The first part of the Mass is preparation for
the second part. When we come to the church, it is always good to greet
our brothers and sisters in the narthex (or the outside patio at St.
Leo’s). However, it is important that we enter the church at least five
minutes early. Once we are in the church proper, we should spend time recollecting
ourselves by kneeling or sitting reverently and praying.
When Mass begins, we stand as a sign of respect. The
ministers enter: incense first (a sign of adoration), then cross (the sign of
our salvation) sometimes flanked by two candle bearers (the light of Christ),
then the deacon carrying the Book of the Gospels (words and works of Christ),
and finally the priest who is “in the person of Christ the Head.”
Processions were common in the Old Testament, and as we sing the entrance
antiphon or hymn during this procession, we are echoing the people who sang ‘Hosanna!’ at
the glorious entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. When the priest reaches
the altar, he and the deacon(s) kiss the altar as a sign of reverence, and the
altar is incensed because it is the object used for sacrifice and it represents
Christ Himself.
The Mass continues with the Sign of the Cross, a reminder that
we are gathered by the Most Holy Trinity and that the Holy Cross is our only
hope. (By the way, only the priest says, “In the Name . . .”; your
response is “Amen”.) The priest then greets the people based on a formula
of St. Paul: “The Lord be with you,” etc. The response “And with your
spirit” is a desire that the priest receive peace from the Spirit he received
at ordination. The priest then invites us to acknowlege our sins — to
repent (as St. John the Baptist preaches). We should use the period of
silence to think about our sins and unworthiness. When we say the Confiteor (“I
confess”), we need to mean it. The priest invokes once again
God’s mercy after we say this prayer together, and then we chant “Lord, have
mercy” in English or in Greek (the language of the NT), Kyrie, eleison.
We sing the Gloria only on Sundays outside of Advent and
Lent. It is based on the joyful hymn of the Angels at the birth of Christ
and was formulated as early as the Second Century. Afterwards, the priest
sings or says, “Let us pray,” and gives us another opportunity for silent
recollection. We should really think about what we want in this Mass, and
then listen attentively to the words of the prayer as the priest says or chants
it — to make his words our words.
If we really focus on paying attention during the first part of
Mass and avoid “zoning out,” we will find that we really “get something out of
it” and that we will encounter Christ in the readings and preaching of the
priest. To prepare the way of the Lord at the start will
help assure a welcome reception of Jesus in the second part of Mass when He
enters into our bodies and souls at Holy Communion.
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