Liturgy News

The new English translation of the Missal which we will introduce this year is an opportunity for parish communities to explore the liturgy of the Mass. Normally liturgical preaching centres on the Biblical text, but it may also be based on texts from the liturgy (GIRM 65). Various schemes will no doubt be proposed for liturgical catechesis at Mass. Material for the priest’s preparation and for parish newsletters is available in the resource Become One Body, One Spirit in Christ and on the Roman Missal Australia page at www.catholic.org.au. Let me make a suggestion – first for a six-week preaching program on the Eucharistic Prayer and then a five-week program on the Order of Mass.

EASTER.

The six weeks of Easter might be a good opportunity to explore the Eucharistic Prayers and so to foster an understanding of eucharistic theology. The parish might decide to use the new translations as a way of preparing people for the new style of liturgical language and alerting them to the introduction of the new people’s responses after Pentecost. It could look like this:

Second Sunday of Easter READINGS: Risen Christ and Thomas: He breathed on them: Receive the Holy Spirit. PREACHING: (1) Invocation of the Holy Spirit on the gifts and on the gathered Church (epiclesis). Role of the Holy Spirit in the Eucharistic Prayer. (2) Introduce the language of Eucharistic Prayer II and highlight the place of the Holy Spirit (note the image of dewfall). LITURGY: Use Eucharistic Prayer II in its new translation for the first time. NEWSLETTER: An outline of the structure of the Eucharistic Prayer (GIRM 79).

Third Sunday of Easter READINGS: The Road to Emmaus: Recognising him at the breaking of the bread. PREACHING: (1) The transforming power of the words of Christ, This is my body; this is the chalice of my blood. The place of the Institution Narrative in the Eucharistic Prayer. (2) Introduce the language of Eucharistic Prayer III and explain the use of chalice and for many in the words of institution. LITURGY: Use Eucharistic Prayer III in its new translation for the first time. NEWSLETTER: A glossary of difficult words: oblation, sacrificial Victim, Sacrifice of our reconciliation, Order of Bishops.

Fourth Sunday of Easter READINGS: Sheepfold: That they may have life and have it to the full. PREACHING: (1) Christ’s offering on the cross and the place of the Paschal Mystery in the Eucharistic Prayer (anamnesis). The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. (2) Introduce the language of Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation I (spur us on to possess a more abundant life) and reinforce the Christ’s work of reconciliation. LITURGY: Use Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation I in its new translation for the first time. NEWSLETTER: Background article on understanding Sacrifice (the cross and the Mass).

Fifth Sunday of Easter READINGS: Farewell Discourse: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. PREACHING: (1) Praise and thanksgiving in the Eucharistic Prayer. ‘Eucharist’ means thanksgiving. (2) Introduce the language of the Eucharistic Prayer IV and the way it recounts the marvellous deeds of God through the whole sweep of salvation history (in the fullness of time, you sent your Only Begotten Son). LITURGY: Use Eucharistic Prayer IV in its new translation for the first time. NEWSLETTER: The role of the Preface and Sanctus: we join the praise of choir of heaven.

Sixth Sunday of Easter READINGS: Farewell Discourse: The Advocate, the Spirit of Truth PREACHING: (1) Intercession in the Eucharistic Prayer: praying for the pope, the bishop, and the church, both the living and the dead. (2) Introduce the language of the Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs and Occasions and note the variable intercessory sections. LITURGY: Use the Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs and Occasions III in its new translation for the first time. NEWSLETTER: Background on the Church universal (pope) and local (bishop).

Ascension of the Lord READINGS: The Ascension in Matthew and Acts: I am with you always. PREACHING: (1) Summarise the elements of the Eucharistic Prayer by noting the different structure of the Roman Canon. (2) Introduce the language of Eucharistic Prayer I, especially appreciating the rhetorical force of repetition. LITURGY: Use Eucharistic Prayer I in its new translation for the first time. NEWSLETTER: An outline of the unique chiastic structure of Eucharistic Prayer I (see Johannes Emminghaus, The Eucharist: Essence, Form, Celebration (1978) p. 215.

Pentecost Sunday This solemn feast is often the occasion to celebrate the sacraments of Confirmation and first Communion, and so would not be used for liturgical preaching on the Mass.

ORDINARY TIME In Australia this is the time established for introducing the new people’s parts of the Order of the Mass. Against the appreciation of Eucharistic praying fostered during the Easter Season, a period of preaching on the Order of Mass may now profitably be undertaken, for example, in the five weeks following Pentecost.

Trinity Sunday READINGS: God loved the world so much. PREACHING: (1) Trinity Sunday would be a good opportunity to preach on the Creed in the Sunday liturgy (GIRM 67). (2) Introduce the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds. LITURGY: For a gentle introduction to the new responses, perhaps only the new translation of the Apostles’ Creed would be said today. NEWSLETTER: History of the creeds.

The Body and Blood of Christ READINGS: The Living Bread: My flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink. PREACHING: The perfect feast to preach on the communion rite: including breaking the bread and communion from the altar, under both kinds. LITURGY: Use all the new people’s responses for the first time, perhaps continuing to use the Apostles’ Creed for a while. NEWSLETTER: Many possibilities: perhaps a background piece on the real presence.

Fourteenth Sunday READINGS: Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened... PREACHING: A good Gospel text to preach on the Introductory Rites (See GIRM 46-54). LITURGY: Use all the new people’s responses again, choosing different greetings and acclamations. NEWSLETTER: Background piece on the various penitential elements in the Mass.

Fifteenth Sunday READINGS: Parable of the Sower. PREACHING: An opportunity to preach on the Liturgy of the Word and the Lectionary. LITURGY: Use all the new people’s responses, with different greetings and acclamations. NEWSLETTER: A summary of the three-year cycle of readings.

Sixteenth Sunday READINGS: Parables of the Kingdom. PREACHING: An opportunity to preach on the Concluding Rites and our sending into the world to proclaim the Kingdom of God. LITURGY: Use all the new people’s responses, with different greetings and acclamations. NEWSLETTER: The lay mission in the world.