Mary's Little Lamb: The Agnus Dei

Once the Lord's Prayer is complete, the rest of the Mass can seem to move rather fast. There's a flurry of handshakes, kneeling, standing, walking, kneeling, standing, driving, home. If we're not paying attention, it can seem to go by in a flash. This is one part of the Mass that we can't afford to miss. This is it. This is the climax. This is what everything has been leading up to until this point. 

This is part nine of my series on the Mass, Guided Missal. 

Part 1: Opening the Doors
Part 2: A Rite for Wrongs
Part 3: Word.
Part 4: I've Got Good News
Part 5: Offer It Up
Part 6: Holy, Holy, Holy
Part 7: This is My Body

Part 8: Pater Knows Best

Pater Knows Best: The Lord's Prayer

The Eucharistic Prayer is finished. The Bread and Wine have been transfigured before our eyes into the very Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We've called upon the fire of the Holy Spirit and now we are in the presence of Almighty God.

We are standing in the palace of the King of Kings. We are basking in the Light of the World, we the assembled flock of the Good Shepherd.

We stand in heaven itself.

The question, then, is what now? What can you say when you are mere feet away from God Himself?

Exactly what he told us to do. We pray.

This is part eight of my series on the Mass, Guided Missal. 

Part 1: Opening the Doors
Part 2: A Rite for Wrongs
Part 3: Word.
Part 4: I've Got Good News
Part 5: Offer It Up
Part 6: Holy, Holy, Holy
Part 7: This is My Body

Fast and Furious

Again, I'm taking a break from Guided Missal. Why? Because it's my blog, that's why. Also, because today's Gospel is really cool. That's also the reason behind the title! Today, we find Jesus fasting in the desert, and being tempted by the devil. Satan is, of course, unsuccessful and ends up furious. Get it?

Anybody?

Anybody?

Special Note: Hi Katie! You're awesome!

This is My Body: The Eucharistic Prayer (Part II)

We have presented our offerings. We have "lifted up our hearts". We have recognized that we are at worship not only like heaven but in heaven.

We have lifted ourselves up to heaven...now heaven is going to come down to us.

This is part seven of my series on the Mass, Guided Missal. 

Part 1: Opening the Doors
Part 2: A Rite for Wrongs
Part 3: Word.
Part 4: I've Got Good News
Part 5: Offer It Up
Part 6: Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, Holy, Holy: The Eucharistic Prayer (Part I)

This is it. The gifts have been brought forward and prepared, and our hearts are ready. We are ready to experience heaven.

It's time for the Eucharistic Prayer.

This is part six of my series on the Mass, Guided Missal. 

Part 1: Opening the Doors
Part 2: A Rite for Wrongs
Part 3: Word.
Part 4: I've Got Good News
Part 5: Offer It Up

You've Got Something On Your Forehead

So...it's Ash Wednesday. In honor of the day, I'm taking a break from my Guided Missal series just to give a little bit of background and context for what, to outsiders, must seem like an odd ritual.

Offer It Up: The Offertory

After the Homily, quite a number of things happen seemingly at once. Perhaps we get too caught up in the song and don't really notice. But now we have, as one priest I know likes to put it, "halftime". It's anything but a break, though. Rather, it is a preparation - setting the table of the Lord.

It is here that the Liturgy of the Word becomes the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

This is part five of my series on the Mass, Guided Missal. 

Part 1: Opening the Doors
Part 2: A Rite for Wrongs
Part 3: Word.
Part 4: I've Got Good News

I've Got Good News: The Gospel

Until this point, we've been seated for the entirety of the readings. Then, to a chorus of "alleluia", we all stand. This reading is a bit different.

This is the Gospel.

This is part four of my series on the Mass, Guided Missal. 

Part 1: Opening the Doors
Part 2: A Rite for Wrongs
Part 3: Word.

Word: The Liturgy of the Word

So now we've been freed of our sins and we're a clean slate. We're empty.

God then does what he loves to do when we're empty...fill us up.

For those who are just joining, this is Part 3 of my series on the Mass, Guided Missal. Part 1: Opening the Doors. Part 2: A Rite for Wrongs.