The Liturgy of the Eucharist
I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This is the new covenant in my blood.” Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Since mid-June we have been studying together the Liturgy of the Word. In this first great liturgical movement of the Mass, God speaks to us in and through the Scriptures. Our response to what he reveals in his Word is the second movement of the mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
In the liturgy of the Eucharist we respond to God’s initiative of love by offering him the perfect offered in an unbloody manner at the altar so that all of God’s people might participate fully and completely in the Banquet of Our Lord’s body and blood.
In this way, God make present in our “here and now,” the promise of what he has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9) at the heavenly supper of the lamb (Revelation 19:9).
If you were to step back a bit so that you could examine the liturgy of the Eucharist as a whole, you would discover that this movement unfolds in three distinct moments: the Preparation of the Gifts the Eucharistic Prayer, and the breaking of the Eucharistic Bread to be given in Holy Communion.
This thus corresponds precisely to the words and actions of Christ “When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them” Luke 24:30.
The altar is prepared at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist to receive the gifts which will be presented. First the corporal, a white linen cloth about 18 inches square, is unfolded and placed in the center of the altar directly upon the altar cloth. The Sacramentary is brought the altar next and placed a little to the left of the corporal.
Then the faithful bring forward their offerings of bread and wine. Money and gifts for the poor may also be collected and brought forward. (If they are these are put in a suitable place, but not in front of or on the altar.) Taken all together these gifts represent our very lives everything we have to live on. In effect we are offering ourselves completely to God.
The priest places the gifts on the altar, praying silently, although if there is no singing, he may pray these prayers aloud. Then bowing low he prays with humble spirit and contrite heart, (cf. Daniel 32:37-40)
At this point, the celebrant may also incense the offerings of bread and wine, the cross and the altar itself. When you see the clouds of incense rising in the presence of God, think of them as a sign of the Church prayer rising to heaven too. The priest is innally the people, by reason of their baptismal dignity.
The priest then washes his hands praying silently, Wash me of my iniquity, lord and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 50:2)
