<h3>Questions about the Mass</h3>
Aug
26
Written by:
Saturday, August 26, 2006
21st Sunday Ordinary Time
August 26, 2006
Why does the priest kiss the altar at the beginning and end of Mass?
Before Vatican II, the priest kissed the altar many times during Mass. The new liturgy preserved the essential meaning of this gesture, while at the same time eliminating unnecessary duplications. Reverencing or kissing the altar is a sign of deep respect for that place where heaven and earth meet, the altar on which Eucharist is celebrated. The Mass is full of just such wordless gestures, which taken together constitute a language of their own.
Is this why the priest or deacon kisses the Book of the Gospels?
The essential meaning of this gesture is the same as that of kissing the altar. The book of the gospels is raised at the end of the proclamation (when the priest or deacon says "The Gospel of the Lord!"), which he does, not to show the book to the people, but in order to kiss the book. As he does so, he prays silently, "May the words of the gospel wipe away our sins." Since it is not possible for all of the people to physically kiss the book, the priest performs this act of reverence toward our Lord Jesus Christ in the name of all the people.
If a deacon is present, he always proclaims the gospel, even if he is not preaching that Sunday.
Why does the priest pray with his arms outstretched?
This gesture is known as the orans prayer posture. This was a normal way of praying for both priest and laity in the early Church. Gradually, however, praying in this way came to be used primarily by priests and bishops during the liturgy. It symbolizes openness to the Holy Spirit and evokes a posture of praise in worship. When the priest uses this prayer posture, it also suggests that the priest is gathering the prayers of all the people as he speaks and welcoming the whole people of God in this inclusive gesture. Some Catholics, particularly those involved in the charismatic renewal, routinely pray with arms outstretched.
Father Gary