The Sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist 14

After Communion, the Celebrant purifies, the Cup, Chalice and the Paten. It is recommended that after Communion there should be a moment of silence for Recollection, a holy moment required by the Liturgy. As stated in the last Talk, it is a time when we have to be in dialogue with Jesus, possibly we let Him send the messages and we just listen in silence, in adoration and in thanksgiving. Now, having been changed into ‘new’ persons, we do our utmost through our behavior and dealings with others to merit the Glory of Heaven. I remain Tony, from the features, I will be recognized as such…BUT…I have to change in spirit. It is fresh, new beginning every time.

At the end of the Celebration, the Celebrant blesses the congregation with the words: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen” words recited ONLY by the celebrant, we answer with the word “Amen”.  Because it is the Priet who is invoking God’s Blessings on us. The Celebration ends with the words:  “Go in the Peace of Jesus Christ”.

The Eucharistic Celebration ends at church BUT, has now to be accomplished by us all, who have participated. At home, at the place of work, at the recreation centres, wherever we are we have to ‘spread the Good News’. We have to prove that we are witnesses to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, because that is why we have gone to Mass, to be sanctified and changed to a new person, a new individual, with a different outlook on life and approach to our problems and dealings with others. We testify all this by answering: “Thanks be to God.”

Having seen all this, we should change the normal way we normally answer or say, “I’m going to Mass”, because this gives the impression that we are going somewhere, like a theater as spectators. We have to give the right impression that is, we are going to ‘participate’ in the Mass. After all, even at the theater we DO participate; by clapping, by standing, by shouting BIS…how much more during the Sacrifice of the Eucharist. We have to take part in the Sacrifice by standing, kneeling, sitting, answering, listening, singing….it should be a lively participation. We have to ‘live’ this Sacrifice to the full.    /15