Reverence at Mass

by Editor · March 23, 2011

The recent correspondence in this newspaper on the subject of music in the liturgy and the on-going debate about the new translations in the English missal have been vigorous and occasionally perhaps even polarising. Even so, these discussions show that for many the Mass and its liturgy still matters a great deal.

This is how it should be. The Mass, Christ�s sacrifice and his real presence in it, is at the centre of our faith. It is right that people should have strong opinions on the liturgy, provided these are expressed with such charity and respect as to prevent the Eucharist becoming a battleground.

One may contrast the passion for the liturgy that has been evident on our letters pages and other forums with the casual attitudes some Catholics exhibit at Mass. There is merit in the complaint that too often reverence for the Eucharist and respect for God�s house are lacking.

It cannot be right that a sacristan has to pick up empty fast-food packages after a Mass, or that a priest has to collect used tissues from the benches, never mind that congregants discard consecrated hosts in the pew. There certainly is a lack of regard for the Eucharist when congregants present themselves for the reception of the Body of Christ while chewing gum, or treat the Mass itself as a social club rather than a time for prayer and worship.

While some instances of irreverence are readily observable, other gestures and signs are more difficult to measure.

Dress codes for Mass, for example, are subject to prevailing culture standards. In 1928 The Southern Cross could still object to women exposing their ankles in church; today this would seem absurd. It is entirely possible that a Catholic woman wearing a short dress has intense reverence for the Eucharist and that the woman in her Sunday best merely goes through the motions at Mass. Dress is no reliable indicator of reverence.

Reverence cannot be measured by external gestures. Indeed, it would seem sinful to pass judgment in the first place.

In Matthew�s gospel, Jesus warns us to �beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them� (6:1). He is dismissive of those who are ostentatious in their exhibition of piety: �And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others� (Mt 6:5).

Whatever external signs of reverence we demonstrate must above all be sincere. So it is salutary to bow before receiving Communion, but this should be because one seeks to show reverence for the present Christ in that manner. The gesture is meaningless if it is merely an automated response to an instruction. An ostentatious bow may be less reverent than no bow at all. God knows our hearts.

Of course, shows of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament can set an excellent example. More importantly, however, we must deepen our internal reverence for the Eucharist.

We do so alone in prayer and reflection, and in ensuring that we are in a state of grace as we receive Holy Communion. We do so in our parishes in on-going catechesis about the meaning of the Eucharist and proper preparation for it. And we do so in our families and communities by helping others understand the incredible gift of the sacrament, even and especially if we give witness by example, when we show our reverence not only towards the Eucharist but also to others.

As we prepare to present ourselves to receive the body and blood of Christ, we must remind ourselves of what we are about to receive, be conscious of the awesome reality of his presence, and act accordingly.