Fr. Howie is writing a series of “Praying Shapes Believing” articles that appear in our weekly Sunday worship bulletins. Whether it is your first time, or your thousandth, reading, reciting, and praying the traditional Rite II worship from the Book of Common Prayer, it is worthwhile to ask why. We will examine some of our prayers and collects to help us find more meaning and connection in the ritual. See all topics in the Praying Shapes Believing series.
The Canon of the Mass
The prayer in which the offerings of bread and wine are consecrated and become for us the Body and Blood of Christ by the action of the Holy Spirit.
What is it?
The Canon combines elements from Jewish and early Christian traditions of prayer. It begins with a recitation of God’s actions in the world, culminating in the death and resurrection of Jesus, repeats Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, and calls the Holy Spirit to enliven the Eucharistic elements and us.
Why do we do it?
In Luke’s version of the Last Supper story (Luke 22:19), Jesus gives his followers the bread and wine with the instruction, “Do this in remembrance of me,” a phrase taken by the church to be a command to continue this ritual. St Paul, in his first letter to the Christians at Corinth, makes it even clearer, saying, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (I Corinthians 11:26).
What it says about God
God’s self-giving is our source of life.
God’s presence is immanent (physical) as well as transcendent (spiritual).
Messages for how we live
Sharing in the Eucharist reminds us of our equality before God.
For more – Think about the objects and rituals and places that are important in your life. What meanings and memories do they hold?