Ask Deacon Mike

I would like to conclude our three part reflection on the Eucharist by examining the way the Mass is structured and by looking at the tradition, purpose and connection to the Mass of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. In the previous reflection we examined the meaning of the Eucharistic Assembly. The gathering of God’s people to give worship and praise is the highest honor we can pay to God. We do this in the contest of Jesus’ eternal sacrifice on the Cross.

Mass is neither a remembrance nor a reenactment of Jesus’ saving act. Rather, it is the continuation of that saving act that will last until the end of the world. The Church through 2000+ years has always had the same basic form of worship – the Mass. Over the centuries it has essentially remained the same. There have been modifications here and there, prayers added, words changed, gestures enhanced but in the end it is Jesus’ self-giving sacrifice of Himself to His Father on our behalf.

The Mass is comprised of four basic parts: 1) the introductory rites, 2) the liturgy of the Word, 3) the liturgy of the Eucharist and 4) the concluding rites. Jesus is present to us throughout the Mass. The Church teaches us that Jesus is actually present to us in three ways. First, Jesus is with us as a people gathered for a common purpose. Second, Jesus is present to us in the Scriptures. Third, Jesus is with us in the Blessed Sacrament as the bread and wine are offered to God in thanksgiving for His love and mercy. This is the focus of our discussion today.

Many Christian denominations celebrate Eucharist or Holy Communion in one way or another. For many it is done in remembrance of Jesus. What sets Catholics apart from our Protestant brothers and sisters is the fact that we believe that Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. The consecrated bread does not represent Jesus body. It is Jesus’ body. The consecrated wine does not represent Jesus’ blood. It is Jesus’ blood “shed for many so that sins may be forgiven.”

We call this Transubstantiation. Through the authority placed upon him by the Church our priest prays that the Holy Spirit will come down and transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave now comes among us making Jesus present to us in the Eucharist. Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, the Father’s ultimate gift to His prodigal children comes to us to nourish our souls with His real presence. As a Eucharistic people we all rely on this grace to live the life to which God calls us.

When the priest elevates the host and cup for consecration we do not see the change. However, through the eyes of our faith we see the crucified and risen Savior rise before us to draw us all together before the Father. In those few seconds we see our past, present and future before us. Our past is forgiven, our present is made relevant and our future is secured by the mercy of God. As the priest holds up before us the Body and Blood of Jesus we look upon Him in reverence and adoration.

How unfortunate that this moment of pure prayer cannot last longer so that we can more fully meditate upon Christ’s presence among us. This was certainly the need of our ancestors. The elevation of the Eucharist at Mass was not enough. They wanted more time before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. For that reason the tradition of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was begun in the 13^th century.

The Church reminds us that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith. If we accept this then doesn’t it make sense that we need to focus more of our time on Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament offers us that opportunity to spend time with Jesus, gazing upon Him in the Eucharist. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is derived from the Eucharistic Sacrifice. It draws us into a deeper experience of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, increases our awareness of Jesus’ true presence among us and motivates us in the practice of the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is not an action of and by itself. It is tied directly to the Mass. At Mass Jesus becomes present to us. That was His will at the first Mass – the Last Supper – where He desired to be with us forever. The Church clearly teaches us that it was Jesus’ will that He be near us to feed, heal and comfort us. This is accomplished only in the Eucharist. As a further sign of the connection of Exposition to the Mass the consecrated Host used at Exposition is consecrated at the Mass immediately proceeding Exposition.

We here at St. Philip Neri have the opportunity every 1^st Friday to spend time with Jesus. At the end of the morning Mass the Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar until Benediction at 7:30 PM. If you find yourself longing for more time with Jesus then I urge you to come and spend time before the Blessed Sacrament. We always close with Evening Prayer and Benediction.

If you have any questions concerning the Church or sacraments or anything pertaining to our faith I invite you to write to me. You can place your question in the Sunday collection basket, mail it to the rectory or send me an e-mail at deaconmikefranks@verison.net. As always may God bless you and I love you all. Deacon Mike Franks