Ascension
There are several accounts of the dramatic event of Christ’s Ascension in the scriptures. We hear from the Acts of the Apostles in our first reading, simply telling us that the Apostles gathered together with no real mention of a specific location. After significant discussion with them, it says that Jesus was lifted up and a cloud took him from their sight. This was followed by two men asking why they were looking up, and they also promised that he would return to them in a similar way.
The Gospel of Matthew tells us of Jesus’ commission to the disciples from a mountaintop to go and baptize all nations and know that he will be with them, and us, forever. No mention is made of his actual physical Ascension, but it is strongly implied. Our Gospel passage from Mark this weekend tells us of a commission from Jesus to the disciples to go into the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. It lists very meaningful activities that they will be able to do. He is then taken up into heaven and takes his seat at the right hand of God.
Let’s not let discrepancies between these narratives confuse us, for they all tell of the essentials. Jesus commissions those who were present at the event, and he commissions us, to live lives based on the Gospel, that his presence with us is eternal, and that he departed the world physically into a sacred space in a very unique way – just as he came into the world in a very unique way from that sacred place.
This feast helps us prepare for next week and the responsibility of taking the message of Christ into the world through the power of the Holy Spirit manifest at Pentecost.
At The Table
This week’s At the Table question is What is the Eucharistic Prayer during the Mass?
Again, to clarify, the Mass is the structure, formula or recipe, so to speak, and Eucharist is the feast and celebration. Liturgy is the action or ‘work’ of those participating, putting the elements of the recipe together.
Just as we refer to a portion of the Mass as the Liturgy of the Word, meaning rituals and actions that we do to express the connection between scripture stories and our stories, so another significant portion of the Mass is called the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The Eucharistic Prayer is a rather lengthy narrative and makes up much of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, done by the priest, with some responses from the assembly, hence, prayerful ‘work’ so to speak by both. This prayer includes:
The Preface – This dialogue begins like so many others during Mass with “The Lord be with you…” and it encourages us to lift up our hearts and give thanks to the Lord our God and urges the congregation to acclaim God’s holiness.
The Holy, Holy – This is one of my favorite parts of Mass. It is a combination of the three-fold holy proclamations of angels announcing to shepherds such good news on the first Christmas morning and the crowd’s expectation that was to be dashed, yet fulfilled, in an unexpected way proclaimed on Palm Sunday. These combined proclamations ready us for the holiness of the unexpected, and sometimes underappreciated, miracle that unfolds as the Eucharistic Prayer continues.
The Consecration – We call down the Holy Spirit to change simple bread and simple wine into the REAL Body and Blood of Christ, a MIRACLE which we might not always expect and perhaps can’t fully comprehend, but using The Lord’s exact words from the Last Supper, thus conveying his intention and command to be with us always in a REAL way.
The Memorial Acclamation – This statement by the assembly follows the presider’s invitation to proclaim the mystery of faith. It underscores the memorial of Christ’s saving events from the Last Supper to the Resurrection.
The Great Amen – Amen is a powerful word of belief and acclamation. This is the greatest of the seven Amens that we say during each Mass. We are communally affirming and confirming our belief in Christ’s REAL presence, manifest by the Holy Spirit. This Amen concludes the Eucharistic Prayer.
Please put forth some ‘work’ to actively listen to this prayer. Try not to zone out and wait for the priest to finish his prayer. It is OUR prayer. Pray and bow along with the priest. Be attentive to a prayer that reaches across time and geography including many communities, inviting us to both remember and to look forward, to offer and unify, to ask of God and to glorify God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.