...and with your spirit

So now that I have a full week of the revised translation of the Roman Missal under my belt - as have those who attend daily Mass - I must say that we are getting used to it, for the most part.  Psychologists tell us that doing something six times is needed to make it a habit.  So, the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal wording should be a habit now for many of us.  (OK, so maybe I don't form habits as easily as most!)

It has been interesting to recognize some of the changes as coming from Sacred Scripture.  Monday morning's Mass, the 2nd day of the new Missal, used the Gospel passage of the centurion approaching Jesus to cure his son, saying he did not feel worthy for Jesus to 'come under my roof'.  And there it was again, in the people's response just before receiving Holy Communion!

But the one that seems most problematic, even though it has been the one example most frequently given over the past year of the changes to the Missal, is the response to the priest saying, 'The Lord be with you'. 
I even found myself reverting to the old form of that response when the deacon proclaims the Gospel.  It just 'naturally' comes out: 'And also with you!'.  So why this change?

First of all, it IS scripturally based.  It is inspired by the passages that conclude 2Timothy, Galations, Philippians and Philemon.  And in these passages, St. Paul is addressing the Christian community, not any one person, or group of people.  The priest, through his ordination, represents Christ at Mass.  The Holy Spirit has come to him in a special way, and thus the response is really saying: 'And with you, His minister.'

One of the 'benefits' of the new wording has been that I have had to take much more time preparing for Mass than before.  I have to spend time with each of the prayers for Mass beforehand, so that they can come across in a meaningful and understandable way - and also so that I wont revert back to the wording as I have learned it over the past twenty-eight years.

Hopefully, the congregation is getting a renewed appreciation for what takes place at Mass as well, and is spending more time preparing for Mass beforehand.  I know some have said they find it harder to 'say the Mass along with the priest'!  My response is that the people are NOT supposed to be 'saying the Mass along with the priest.'  The Mass is a dialogue.  The priest has his parts.  The congregation has their parts.  And some prayers are said together.  The key is to listen attentively to the prayers the priest is saying, letting them fill our minds and hearts, and then responding as best we can at the appropriate times.  In fact, the Memorial Acclamation has been changed to reflect this dynamic.  The priest no longer says it with the people because it is the people's response to what the priest has just prayed. 

So, as I prepare to preside at the 2nd weekend with this new translation, I do so with a renew appreciation of the great gift the Mass is, and especially the Sacrament of Eucharist!  May it draw us ever closer to eternal life in the Father's Kingdom of true and lasting peace!