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Much of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass evolved from Old Testament Law, but Jesus introduced a New Covenant at the Last Supper and intermingling Judaic traditions, laws and customs a new rite was born - the New Sacrifice.
In the last few installments, we covered the who, what, when, where how, and why the Holy Eucharist was instituted.
With Christ's Ascension into Heaven, the Apostles may have felt like they were "on their own", so to speak, but Christ had promised in Matthew 28:20 "Behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world" and indeed He is. To confirm His Presence of speaking through, to, with and for them was the invaluable Triune Divinity Emissary given on the feast of Pentecost the Holy Spirit, Third Person of the Blessed Trinity - to carry on what He had established on earth - His Church and His Sacraments.
Strengthened by this, the Apostles began to establish a ritual around this Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, which they called the Mass. Within a very short time, they had developed a rite, which was both distinctive and meaningful. But it was not easy to maintain or spread for they were living in an antagonistic atmosphere. Why the hostility? Simple. Here were twelve men and their disciples who were growing in numbers. Most of them had come from Jewish roots but among them there were no Jewish priests, no leaders of the synagogue. They were basically outsiders with no access to the inner chambers of the temple. Their only training had been as heads of their families presiding over the Sabbath meals, Seders and Passover meals in their own homes. Yet, they had been asked to celebrate a ritual "in remembrance of Jesus." Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Sanctifier, they would have been lost and afraid. Oh, there was still that human fear and apprehension. It still exists in everyone of us today. But the Apostles and those newly baptized believers went forward with perseverance in maintaining and sharing the New Sacrifice.
The accounts documented in the Acts of the Apostles verify this. Early on in Acts 2: 46-47 Saint Luke says: "And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread in their houses, they took their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and being in favor with all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their company such as were to be saved." Because of their Jewish roots they continued with the traditions they had been raised with, but because of their conversion to Christ they also continued with the Eucharist in the breaking of the bread in their homes. As their ranks swelled, they realized more and more they were being called to break the liturgical bonds of Judaism and establish this new religion which their Master had instituted. Therefore, the Sabbath, originally Saturday, gradually was observed the next day for that was the day they broke bread together and celebrated the Eucharist. It was also a remembrance of the day Christ rose from the dead and shared His first post-resurrection meal with His disciples that evening. This became a tradition the following Sunday when Christ showed His wounds to Saint Thomas. From that time on, though they gathered together often, Sunday was the focal point for celebrating the Eucharist.
In those early days, the Mass was quite primitive - "And they continued steadfastly in the teaching of the apostles and in the communion of the breaking of the bread and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). Prayers were added to the celebration and, as is the custom, repetition took form in creating a ritual.
Through the years, a liturgical struggle took shape. First, drawing from the old rite, the Apostles established a time for reading the Word just as it had been Jewish tradition to read from the Law and the Prophets in the synagogue. The Apostles and disciples borrowed from this by establishing the reading of lessons, which became the Didache and eventually the Collect. Since they were no longer part of the Jewish faith, the still felt it was important to carry on this important aspect. As more writings of the New Covenant became available they were added permanently with first the epistles and then a passage from the writings of one of the four evangelists who were, for a time, with them first hand. This became the essence of the Liturgy of the Word.
Other Jewish traditions remained such as the Amens, Alleluias, and Sanctus, which proclaims Isaiah's chant with the angels present in all their magnificence (cf Isaiah 6:3). "Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of His glory." It was a perfect vehicle for passage from the Offertory to the Consecration of the Eucharist.
TOMORROW: Installment Five
Less then a year later he was chosen Grand Master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a position he still holds at the age of 78. In 1996 he was selected Pontifical Delegate for the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and had to deal thoroughly and sadly with the terrible Umbrian earthquakes that struck a year later killing some Franciscans and ruining centuries of priceless art and treasures, not to mention terrible damage to structures everywhere, especially the Basilica. In 1998 the Holy Father appointed him Archpriest of the Patriarchal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome where he still resides.
Besides his present duties, Cardinal Furno also enjoys Curial membership in the Second Section of the Secretariat of State, the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, the Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples as well as the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City and the Institute for Works of Religion. Though he is experienced diplomatically and curia-wise, his age would deter him from any serious consideration were a papal election be held in the near future.
A cry, one of pain, escapes her lips. "Master!" The word seems to echo in this quiet garden. It seems to reverberate from within the tomb and back again. Slowly she moves forward. Her Master! She does not know what to think. But her single cry and the sound of her feet awaken the three soldiers who still remain in the same places as when I saw them fall asleep.
Awakened from sleep, the soldiers are instantly brought back to reality. They have fallen asleep while on duty, a punishable offense.
They are looking at the woman clad in mourning garments who approaches. They have not yet taken notice of the great stone slab, which has been moved.
"Halt" What business have you here?" The words are harsh, frightening.
Mary is not to be frightened.
"I am Mary, sister of Lazarus. I have come to anoint the body, but…"
"But…? At this hour? Woman, be gone. We have no orders to allow such a thing."
"The tomb! The stone!" Mary's voice is raised; she points to the opening.
The soldiers see and they all three thrown into disarray, just as Mary's own heart feels dismay. Hers is sadness. Her human mind has not focused on the promise of the Master to rise again on the third day. She can but reason that thieves have come and stolen the body.
The soldiers are truly pitiful. Anger, fear, rage, all well up in them. They would vent their anger upon this woman, but they see the pure astonishment on her own features and realize that she has had no part in whatever trickery has taken place.
They move to block her way as she goes closer to the tomb.
"The Master! What have you done with Him?"
"Done? Are you mad, woman. We are Romans! What have we to do with a common Jewish criminal?"
"Let me pass. I must see."
It is then that the other Marys reach the spot where the Magdalene has dropped her precious ointments. The soldiers, now again distracted, are unable to prevent Mary of Magdala from entering the tomb. They glare maliciously at her, but she does not know it. Her only desire is to seek proof of the Master's body.
I go with her into the tomb. The daylight filters in. It is not strong. Actually, Mary must stand still for several moments until her eyes adjust. Then she sees that where Our Lord's body was laid, there is no body. The wrappings so lovingly but hastily placed over and around His Sacred body are there, neatly folded, and done as if with great care. There is nothing else. It is empty.
NEXT INSTALLMENT: Part three: "Whom do you seek?"
First candidate:
Second candidate:
Third candidate:
Based on this information, which of these candidates would you choose? The answers are at the bottom of this page.
"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"
"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the Masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."
Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful roses on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice the profusion of flowers all along your side of the path. Did you notice that the flowers were only on your side of the path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Fathers table. In Gods great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.
Second Candidate: Winston Churchill
Third Candidate: Adolph Hitler
