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MEDITATIONS FOR MASS BRIEF HINTS FOR MEDITATION ON
OUR LORD'S LIFE.
The sacrifice of the Mass is the same as that of
the cross: we can with great profit meditate on
the Passion, Ascension, and Resurrection of Our
Lord.
The Priest, preparing in the sacristy, reminds
us of Jesus preparing for His passion by the institution of the adorable Sacrament and Sacrifice.
The Priest comes to the altar; Jesus goes forth
from the supper room with His disciples.
The Priest, at the foot of the altar ,bows low as
a sinner: Christ, in the garden, borne down by the
weight of my sins, falls on His face on the ground,
and drops of blood, like sweat, trickle down from
the pores of His sacred Body.
The Priest's kissing of the altar, his repeating
of the Kyrie eleison, his going and coming, remind
us of the perfidious kiss of Judas, of the three
denials of St. Peter, of the Saviour dragged along
to the tribunals of Jerusalem, of the outrages He
there underwent.
The Offertory puts us in mind of the oblation
Our Saviour made to His Father of His Body
and Blood.
The Priest prays in a low tone; Jesus is silent.
At the Lavabo, think of Pilate washing his
hands before condemning the Just One, then showing Him to the people, crowned with thorns,
holding a reed in His hands, and at last, pronouncing His sentence of death.
The Sanctus reminds us of the Jews, who three
days before sang Hosanna to the Son of David;
then with loud cries they demanded His death.
At the Memento, accompany Jesus loaded with
His cross.
During the Elevation, see Him lifted up between heaven and earth. His blood flowing from
His wounds.
After the Elevation, think of the awful silence
and darkness which reigned for three hours.
The silence is broken by the Pater; reflect on
the seven words of Jesus on the cross: Father
forgive them, for they know not what they do—Amen, I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with
Me in Paradise.—Woman, behold thy Son; Son,
behold thy mother.—My God! My God! why
hast Thou forsaken me?—I thirst.—It is consummated!—Father, into Thy hands I commend My
spirit!
When the Priest breaks the Host, think of the
last sigh of the expiring God.
At the Agnus Dei, and at the Domine non sum
dignus, strike your breast with His repentant
executioners.
MEDITATIONS FOR MASS
The Communion recalls the burial of Our
Blessed Saviour. Offer your heart to Jesus, that
it may serve Him as a sepulcher.
During the last prayers, share in the joy of the
Resurrection.
When the Priest blesses the people, bowing
down with the disciples, receive the last blessing
of Jesus ascending into heaven. |
