Dear Parishioners, The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, among other things has this to say: “Moreover, the wondrous mystery of the real presence of the Lord under the Eucharistic species, confirmed by the Second Vatican Council and other teachings of the Magisterium in the same sense and with the same doctrine as the Council of Trent proposed that it must be believed, is proclaimed in the celebration of the Mass, not only by the very words of consecration by which Christ is rendered present through transubstantiation, but also with a sense and a demonstration of the greatest reverences and adoration which strives for realization in the Eucharistic Liturgy…” It is with this understanding that I wish to draw your attention to some practices that bring irreverence in our worship at Mass. Such includes:
1. Absence of silence before, during and after Mass. At the entrance to our churches there is a provision for signing yourself with Holy Water as an outward disposition to inward disposition, as you move to the Church to take your pew; to sit in silence prayer or meditation to get set for the celebration that is about to begin. Talking aloud in Church before Mass distracts you and others from a fitting readiness for a worthy participation and celebration. In like manner, after Mass, there is need for a moment of thanksgiving to God for the beautiful celebration we have had; careless talking after Mass distracts the Christians as they offer their prayer of Thanksgiving after Mass. We need to guard against this noise making.
2. Mass begins with the sign of the cross and ends with the sign of the cross as one single prayer. Except otherwise indicated in the rubrics, there should be no other signing of self within Mass such as during the Penitential rite, and before or after the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. They are pious acts but not essential. We can avoid the taking or making of the signs of the Cross within the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
3. As we listen attentively to the readings at Mass, that attention needs to be continued to the Homily, or Sermon, or Reflection for that day. Our interest here should be to grasp the message of the day from the readings and the homily and how to implement it in our daily Christian lives for the deepening of our faith and for our continuous conversion. Frequently looking at your watches and talking or making comments are distractions. It is always worthwhile going home with something useful to add, correct or maintain in your life.
4. As we walked into the Church before branching into the pew, we render a solemn or profound bow, or genuflect to the Tabernacle or to the Eucharist (if it is exposed). To the Cross we give a simple bow. At Consecration, we kneel or stand; it is only for health reasons that we sit.
5. At the offering of the sign of peace, please be concerned more about those standing next to you. Remember that the older person tells the younger person ‘Peace be with you’ and s/he responds ‘Amen’.
6. At the reception of the Eucharist, the communicant comes forward, shows reverence before and not after the reception of the Eucharist. Thus, it is proper to genuflect, or solemnly, or profoundly bow, before the reception of the Eucharist. You should not bow, genuflect, sign yourself etc. after the reception of the Eucharist. Also, if you are to receive with your hands let them be clean and check after the reception, if some particles are left in your hand, please lick them. Do not move after the reception of the Eucharist for five meters when the Eucharist is still in your hand. As you receive, you consume. (To be continued).