Word to the Wise
Monday, September 16, 2024 - Monday in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Cor 11:17-26, 33 and Luke 7:1-10]"For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my Body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my Blood. Do this, often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes." [1 Corinthians] "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof....but say the word and let my servant be healed." [Luke]
SEPTEMBER 16 STS. CORNELIUS AND CYPRIAN (martyrs)
The words from 1 Corinthians and the Gospel According to Luke should sound familiar to us because they appear, in stylized form, in the celebration of the Eucharist. The biblical context is different. St. Paul was writing to correct abuses in the celebration of the Eucharist (liturgy was a problem back then, too!). Luke recounts a story, found in different ways in all four of the gospels, of Jesus curing from a distance in response to a plea that expressed great faith. The centurion's faith amazed Jesus and obtained healing for his servant.
The form of celebration of the Eucharist that emerged from the Second Vatican council (1962-65) is the result of going back to ancient sources and not to the Council of Trent (1545-1561). Although some elements of the medieval Tridentine form are still possible (Mass with the priest facing away from the people), the ordinary way now is for the priest facing the congregation. The goal of Vatican ll was, and still is, "full, active and conscious participation" on the part of all who are present for the celebration. Jesus' words, recounted in the scriptures, are said out loud and in the vernacular, not said quietly in Latin by the priest. The words of Jesus, ("the consecration") are said by the priest. The words of the Centurion are said by the congregation and the priest. In short, the Mass is offered by all those present and not just by the priest. The scriptures are read out loud and preached in the vernacular. The medieval customs that developed around the celebration and legislated by the Council of Trent were discarded in favor of far more ancient and original forms. Although Latin is still available, it is not the ordinary form even if it offers a certain feeling of transcendence because of its history.
The words of Jesus today in 1 Corinthians and the Gospel According to Luke remind us of the essential parts of the Eucharistic celebration: WORD and SACRIFICE. They are not just the job of the priest. AMEN