Homily — 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Hosea 2:16b, 17b, 21-22 <> 2 Corinthians 3:1b-6 <> Mark 2:18-22
In today’s gospel, Jesus is asked a question concerning the customs of the Pharisees and those of his own disciples. He uses the opportunity to teach that our customs have a deeper meaning than what they signify merely on the surface. For the Pharisees, fasting was a long-standing tradition. But Jesus seems to ask them, “Why do you fast? What is the meaning of your traditions? Do you know what God is doing in your midst? Is fasting the proper response?”
As we come to the end of the winter portion of Ordinary Time and approach the holy season of Lent — a season of fasting — we would do well to think about our customs and traditions, to ask “why?” about the things we do. But today we’re not going to talk about our Lenten customs. Rather, Msgr. Woster and I decided to use our homily time this Lord’s Day to reflect on our liturgical customs — specifically our attitudes, and our postures at Holy Mass. In the coming weeks, we will spend a few minutes at each Lord’s Day Mass to discuss one or two specific gestures which accompany our prayer during the sacred liturgy. It’s important to consider these things from time to time because our worship of God involves, not just the mind, heart, and voice; it involves the body as well. Whether we stand, sit, or kneel, and what we do with our hands and our head, gives expression to the words we hear and speak and is an essential aspect of our prayer. So consider today’s homily a kind of refresher course on liturgical etiquette. I think that all of us, no matter how well we know the liturgy, will learn something helpful today.
First of all, let’s consider our overall attitude as we come to worship in God’s Holy Temple. Do you know where you are? You are in the throne room of the King of Kings, the Creator of the universe. This calls for a deep sense of reverence and awe. When we come to Church we should be conscious of the fact that we are entering into something completely outside the ordinary course of our lives. It is heaven on earth, and our way of behaving should reflect that fact. Even the way we dress for Mass should indicate that we consider this to be a special, a unique moment in the course of our week. You don’t have to “dressed and nines.” But we should strive to look our best as we come into God’s presence. There’s nothing wrong with being comfortable, but casual loungewear or beachwear — and especially clothes that are immodest or revealing — are really not appropriate.
It’s important to come on time for Mass — and that doesn’t mean precisely at 5:30 — but a few minutes early in order to separate yourself from the outside world and consciously place yourself in the presence of God. So try not to rush in at the last minute or come late. If for some reason you do get there are a little late, please don’t follow the celebrant down the center aisle, but use one of the side aisles. As you wait for Mass to begin, don’t use that time to chit-chat with your neighbors, but prepare for Mass. There are some customary devotions which will help us to prepare. Take Holy water as you enter the door and sign yourself with the sign of the Cross, remembering your Baptism and the life-giving Cross of Jesus Christ. When you get to your pew, turn toward the Tabernacle where our Lord is reserved in the Blessed Sacrament and genuflect, dropping briefly to your right knee, as an act of worship and adoration to our blessed Lord. Yes, it is still appropriate to genuflect when you enter and leave Church! The sanctuary lamp is hung in the arch near the Blessed Sacrament Chapel to indicate where the Tabernacle is so that we know in what direction to genuflect. Once Mass begins, our focus is on the altar of sacrifice in the center of the sanctuary. And this is why the priest and other ministers bow to the altar during Mass — it is a sign of Christ’s presence. But Jesus is really present in the Blessed Sacrament, and that is why we genuflect in that direction. Once you enter your pew, kneel for a few minutes in prayer, thanking God for the privilege of worshiping him and asking for his blessings, both for yourself and for those around you. A friendly and quiet greeting to your neighbors is never inappropriate, but try not to use that time for visiting.
During Mass, maintain an attitude of reverence and prayer. Participate with your whole being: heart, mind, voice, and body. Be considerate of those around you (turn off your cell phone, do not talk, take responsibility for your children). Remember, it’s not just “me and Jesus.” We are members of the Mystical Body of Christ engaged in a corporate act of worship.
Stay for all of Mass — including the final blessing, dismissal, and closing hymn. We don’t want to be like rude children who leave the table without being excused! Spend a few moments in prayer, thanking God for the tremendous gift he has just given you. Genuflect when leaving your pew. Be considerate of those who may wish to pray, and avoid prolonged and noisy conversations with others. But do greet your brothers and sisters in Christ (as well as the ministers) — let them know that you’re glad you were able to worship together with them!
Next, let’s consider our postures at Mass – standing, sitting, kneeling, and bowing.
1. Standing – expresses honor and respect; the posture of those who have been “raised up with Christ” and “seek the things that are above” (Col. 3:1)
i. At the beginning and end of Mass – we stand to greet Christ present in his priest and in his people.
ii. At the Gospel – we stand to greet Christ present in his Word.
iii. At Communion – we stand to greet Christ present (most especially!) in his Eucharistic Body and Blood.
2. Sitting – expresses attentiveness and meditation; the posture of a learner and one who contemplates.
i. At the proclamation of the Scriptures and at the homily.
ii. After Communion (as we commune in our hearts with God).
3. Kneeling – expresses sorrow for sin and adoration; the posture of a penitent and one who is deeply in love
i. At certain times of the year, we kneel to ask forgiveness of sins.
ii. Many people receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation kneeling.
iii. During the Eucharistic Prayer and after the Lamb of God, we kneel to show our profound love and adoration of Jesus, really present on our altar.
iv. After Communion, many people prefer to kneel rather that sit – and this is perfectly appropriate.
4. Bowing – expresses humility, thanksgiving and reverence; the posture of a subject before his king
i. At the Names of Jesus and Mary (and the saint of the day), we bow the head to give homage to our King and Queen and their royal court.
ii. At the words of the Creed: “By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man” we bow from the waist in deference to the great humility of God in becoming man for our sake. I’ve noticed that very few people do this – even a lot of priests neglect to bow – yet it is still a required gesture! On the feasts of the Incarnation – the Annunciation and Christmas – we make an even more profound sign by genuflecting at these words.
iii. As we say “Amen” before receiving Holy Communion, we bow the head as a sign of reverence to our Lord and Savior.
And this brings us to our final consideration today: how to receive Holy Communion. Now, most of us have no problem in this area –we’ve been trained well and we know exactly what to do. On the other hand, as a priest I see so many different things going on at Holy Communion that it’s good to review the Church’s regulations in this regard, and to make sure we really know what to do and why we do it.
We begin the rite of reception of Holy Communion by kneeling together in adoration and expressing our unworthiness to approach the Lord’s table. We then rise and approach the Lord in reverent procession as a sign of our oneness in Faith. The minister of Holy Communion (priest, deacon or extraordinary minister) holds up the consecrated Host and proclaims, “The Body of Christ”. We affirm our personal faith in this truth by responding, “Amen!” (And by the way, “amen” is the only appropriate response here. I’ve heard everything from complete silence to “thank you.”) As we say amen, we bow the head as a sign of reverence.
There are two ways to receive Communion: on the tongue or in the hand. To receive on the tongue, one tilts the head back slightly, opens the mouth, and extends the tongue to the edge of the lower lip. This beautiful gesture expresses our complete and utter dependence upon God, and our childlike trust in him. As recently as 1999, the Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome proclaimed, “Let all remember that the time-honored tradition is to receive the host on the tongue”. For many centuries, it was the only way to receive Holy Communion, so no one should ever feel ashamed or embarrassed to receive our Lord in this way.
To receive in the hand, two hands are required: one hand is placed under the other as a throne (if you are right-handed, place the right hand under the left; if you are left-handed, place the left hand under the right). Hold your hands high enough and close enough to the minister so that he or she does not have to bend over or reach way out. After the Host is placed on your palm, step to one side and stop, still facing forward. With the lower hand, pick up the host and place it in your mouth. Remember that every particle is Jesus Christ, our God! Do not let anything fall to the ground by carelessly brushing off your hands, but reverently consume every crumb in your palm or on your fingers.
At this point, you may return to your pew or you may receive from the chalice. Remember that the whole Christ – Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity – is contained under either form (bread or wine), so no one (except the priest) is required to receive both forms. But to receive under both kinds is a more complete sign of Christ’s Body and Blood. So, if you wish to receive from the chalice, do so as follows:
As you approach, the minister will raise the chalice and proclaim, “The Blood of Christ.” You respond, “Amen” with a bow of the head. Carefully take the chalice in both hands, and reverently consume a small sip of the Precious Blood. Gently hand the chalice back to the minister. Do not wipe your mouth until you are sure every drop of Christ’s Blood is consumed.
Here are some additional notes on Holy Communion:
(1) If you do not have two hands free (because you are holding a child, a cane, or your hand is otherwise disabled), please do not attempt “one-handed” reception, either in the palm or grasping with the fingers – this is not permitted. Instead, if you can’t use two hands, receive on the tongue.
(2) It is also not permitted to give yourself Communion by intinction – in other words, carrying the Host to the chalice and dipping it in the Precious Blood. Remember, you do not have to receive from the chalice; so, if you are uncomfortable with drinking from a common cup, simply bypass the chalice.
(3) If you are not a member of the Roman Catholic Church, we cannot invite you to Holy Communion. This is because it is a sign of our unity in faith and it would not be right to profess with our actions what is not, in reality, true. But you are invited to receive a special blessing, if you wish. To indicate this, cross your arms against your chest like so [demonstrate] as you approach the minister. A priest or deacon will give you a blessing, and a lay minister will say a little prayer asking for God’s blessing. Catholics who are not properly disposed to receive Holy Communion may also ask for a blessing in the same way. The official guidelines for receiving Holy Communion are printed in the Missalettes found in most Catholic churches (we have them in our Lady’s Chapel here) and they are printed on the notice boards in the entrances to our cathedral.
(4) I didn’t make up these rules! They are found in official documents from the Vatican and from the Bishops of the United States. If we all faithfully follow them, they will help to bring order, unity and dignity to our worship.
I know that today’s homily was little longer and little more detailed than usual. Next week, we’ll provide a printed outline that you can take home and review with your family. Some might object that these kind of detailed rules really don’t matter. But the fathers of the second Vatican Council taught us: “The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the fount from which all her power flows. . . . But in order that the liturgy may be able to produce its full effects, it is necessary that the faithful come to it with proper dispositions, that their minds should be attuned to their voices, and that they should cooperate with divine grace lest they receive it in vain.” (SC 10-11). Following all of the rules and customs the Church provides for us –and knowing why we do so – will make our liturgy a richer and more meaningful experience, helping us to raise our hearts and minds to Almighty God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
© 2003, Rev. Timothy W. Castor