THE POWER OF SIGNS & SYMBOLS. In reflection #10 on Pope Francis’ 2022 Apostolic Letter, ‘Desiderio Desideravi,’ Latin for Jesus’ preLast Supper words: “I have earnestly desired [to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”] [Luke 22:15], we consider the ‘Art of Celebrating’ required of all who take part in the Sacred Liturgy. ‘For past articles in this series on the three-year National Eucharistic Revival [this is article #39!] and the Holy Father’s Letter, visit our Parish website.
As I explained in one of my first reflections on ’Desiderio Desideravi,’ there are two mindsets that affect the way we worship: Individualism and Subjectivism, which have similar traits. Individualism leads us to consider only ourselves, and not communal or collective aspects of worship. We hear it in the attitude that “I must get something personally out of it, for myself.” It downplays or dismisses how our words and actions – or lack thereof – affect others. Subjectivism renders the purpose or meaning of things to each person; there is no place for revealed Truths or external reasonings. These easily destroy any sense of community or the collective purpose and meaning of Sacred Rites.
These two dynamisms are not the only things that have prodded some, perhaps many, to excuse themselves from weekly participation in the holy Mass and other Rites. COVID restrictions sadly broke revered routines that have yet to be reestablished; some have been culled into thinking that watching the holy Mass on a TV or computer screen is the same thing as being actively present for the Sacred Mysteries! Some erroneously believe it is enough to have a private ‘Me & Jesus Moment’ … but Jesus calls us into a Community, His Church – and comes to us most profoundly in the Eucharist which, unless you’re an Ordained Priest, you cannot confect at home!
“ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT IN CHRIST.”As I mentioned above, the Priest prays these words after the Consecration in Eucharistic Prayer III. To help us ‘see’ this unity of body and spirit, the Church intentionally has us move ‘in unison’ at various times during the holy Mass. These so called ‘Catholic Aerobics’ are not intended to create a pretty show, although pageantry is part of religious ritual. We do all this to give outward expression to the inward reality that we are “one body, one spirit in Christ!” We gather, carefully walk in processions, sit, stand, kneel, bow, strike our breast, sing, become silent, raise our voices in acclamations, look, listen, and hopefully think!
Many of these actions have a set purpose: a feeling or emotion, sentiment or belief. We bow to admit our unworthiness or humble gratitude; we kneel to express sorrow for sins and our need for forgiveness; we bend low as a remedy for our pride; we mark the Sign of the Cross on ourselves to personally accept the graces and blessings won for us by the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. However, there is one outward sign highlighted often in the Pope’s Letter which, I must admit, I am not very good at practicing or encouraging; and that is: silence.
SILENCE, PLEASE! In a world of so much noise, where so many hope for a few moments of peace and quiet, the Church prescribes the remedy: the rubrics call for a few moments of SILENCE during the Sacred Liturgy. We are directed to pause for silent prayer: during the Penitential Act; after the invitation to “Let us pray” before the Collect; between the Readings and after the Homily; in the Eucharistic Prayer when we remember our intentions and the dead; and during the Prayer after Communion, unless a period of silence preceded it. Yet whenever we pause for silent prayer, everyone seems to get so antsy!
LET THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAK! The purpose of liturgical silence is NOT to escape from reality or the cacophony of noise that inundates our ears and brain! It is to allow the Holy Spirit to speak. In the Rite of Ordination, when the Candidate for the Diaconate, Priesthood or the Episcopacy kneels before the Ordaining Bishop for the Laying on of Hands, it is done in total silence. After all is said and done by us, we allow God to speak in a moment of silence. Will we be more open to moments of silence during the Sacred Rites, to allow God to speak, and to let His voice echo and reecho in our minds and hearts?
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS