A Question posted for me to answer:
Greg, (in a presentation I hosted for the MTS Course on the New Roman Missal) you specifically stated that we were not to make the connection of the roof of our mouths with the response of “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof…” Recently, we had a priest in residence who gave several talks about the new translation in which he contradicted that. He said that our bodies are temples in which we receive the Lord. Our mouths are the point of entry, with the roofs of our temples being the roofs of our mouths. I thought that made so much sense. Any comments?
That is a great and challenging question, for the explanation given by Father is a beautiful one, and certainly does make sense. So let me say at the outset that I do not "disagree" with the beauty of the explanation, I just think that the nature of Eucharist within the Mass is to heal AND adore. It can't be stressed enough, especially to young people, just how awesome it is to have Christ truly present in the Eucharist. But the prayer spoken before the reception of Holy Communion states, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." This reference to the healing of the Centurion's servant (Luke 7: 1-10) focuses on the
"And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” Luke 7: 6-9
I would therefore maintain, that its primary purpose is not only recognize that Jesus is in our midst, but also to begin the healing of hearts so that the end of the Mass, as "we go forth to love and serve the world", we do so with a NEW HEART, and a new outlook on life. After all, that was the result of the Lord's visit with the Centurion.
With regards to the "roof" being of the mouth, or the Temple, or the Church in which we celebrate, I would maintain that we are fed by the Body of Christ as ONE Church, so the "personal" encounter with Christ in the Eucharist, while amazing, is not why one goes to Mass. WE, the People of God assemble to give praise and thanks to our God, and in turn are fed by His Word, His Body, and His Blood.
I hope this post doesn't get me in trouble, for I am not speaking as a highly educated expert in liturgy... Just a former YM who is excited (and opinionated) about how things are evolving. I have to add a disclaimer that my opinion on this matter was skewed by the workshop I attended at last year's NCCYM, where it seemed to be stressed that the liturgical purpose was as I've stated, but probably not adequately enough... "I'm not worthy!" :)
this is the ONE change in the Mass that I dont really like and is going to be the hardest for me to change....
ReplyDeleteheck I still sing hymns that have been changed to inclusive language with words like men.... gasp