Visions of the Mass

[Shin]

After the reading of the Epistle, and as the Deacon was ascending the Ambon to read the Gospel, I saw the roof of the Church open, revealing Heaven; at the same time, I saw the Deacon encompassed on all sides by fire."

After the Service of Preparation and the offering of the precious Gifts having taken place," said the monk, "I saw the heavens open and fire coming down upon the Holy Gifts; and with the fire there was a host of Angels, having in their midst a Child. With them were two other persons, whose beauty was indescribable. Their faces were as radiant as lightning. And thereupon, as the Angels stood around the Holy Table, in a circle, the Child was enthroned upon it."

"As soon as the Priests approached to divide up the bread being offered, I saw," he went on, "those two magnificent persons approach, and hold the hands and feet of the Child, and, with a knife which they were holding, slaughter Him and place His Body in the Holy Cup. Then I saw them, having divided the Body of the Child into small portions, place these bloody portions of Flesh on the portions of bread; and immediately thereon, the portions of bread became portions of Flesh."

"And when the moment of Holy Communion arrived, the brothers partook of these portions of Flesh, and I was given this pure Flesh from which to commune. I, however, being unable to consume pure Flesh, began to weep. And I sensed a voice, whispering in my ear: 'Why O man, are you not communing? Is this not what you were seeking?'"

"Have mercy on me, O Lord," I answered, "I cannot consume from a body."

"Then I heard the Divine voice of revelation saying to me: 'Learn then, from this that, even if it is impossible for a man to consume pure flesh, within the Holy Cup there is nonetheless found bodily Flesh, as you have discovered. But since a man cannot eat of a body, for this reason our Lord and God appointed that bread be offered, so that the faithful could commune from it. So, if you believe that under the form of the blessed Bread there exists the very Body of Christ, then you commune of the same.'

"I believe, O Lord," I thereupon replied.

"As I said this, the Body which I was holding became bread again. Thanking God, I partook."

"As soon as the sacred Mystagogy had ended, I saw the roof of the Church open once again and the Divine and heavenly Powers ascend into Heaven."

- from the writings of the Desert Fathers

[Brigid]

Wow!

Why do you think that fire surrounded the Deacon tho'?

[Shin]

Wow!

Why do you think that fire surrounded the Deacon tho'?

Because he was about to preach the Gospel. 

I have more of this sort of thing! But I have to go out and do some chores!

I think if we focus on positive sides of correct liturgy and reasons why for a bit that might be a good way to go for awhile.

[Shin]

Several of the Fathers have related the following didactic story: When the Clergy celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Sketis, at the time of the offertory an eagle would descend on the Holy Altar. This eagle was not material. . . but instead a representation of Divine Grace.

And no one, except the clergy celebrating the liturgy saw it.

Now, one day a brother asked something of the Deacon. The Deacon, however, was not eager to serve him: "I do not have time just now," he told the brother.

After this refusal, the Deacon went to celebrate the Liturgy, together with the Presbyter. However, the eagle -- the representation of Divine Grace -- did not descend as usual.

"Why did the eagle not descend as usual today?" the Presbyter asked the Deacon.

"Certainly it is some sin of mine or some sin of yours," the Presbyter continued, "that impeded the Divine Grace. Move away from me for a moment, and if it descends, then assuredly the reason will rest on you."

And indeed, after the Deacon had distanced himself, the eagle descended. When the Divine Liturgy had finished, and the Presbyter and the Deacon were alone, the former asked the latter: "Tell me, what did you do?"

"My conscience does not tell me I have done anything," the Deacon replied, "The only thing is that when some brother asked me to do something for him, I told him that it was not a good time."

Then the Presbyter replied, "Because of you, then, the eagle did not descend, for you grieved a brother who game to you."

Immediately, the Deacon went and asked forgiveness of the brother.

- from the sayings of the Desert Fathers

[Shin]

I'm reminded that one of the symbols an eagle is for, is of St. John the Apostle..

The Offertory is when the bread and wine are brought to the altar for the consecration..

THE OFFERING OF THE HOST     

P:  Suscipe sancte Pater                P:  Receive,  O Holy Father,
omnipotens aeterne Deus,  hanc       almighty and eternal God, 
immaculatam hostiam,  quam ego       this spotless host,  which I, 
indignus famulus tuus offero            Thine unworthy servant,  offer
tibi Deo meo vivo et vero,              unto Thee,  my living and true
pro innumerabilibus peccatis            God, for my countless sins,
et offensionibus et                     trespasses,  and omissions;
negligentiis meis,  et pro              likewise for all here present,
omnibus circumstantibus,  sed                and for all faithful
et pro omnibus fidelibus                Christians,  whether living or
Christianis vivis atque                         dead,  that it may avail both
defunctis:  ut mihi et illis                    me and them to salvation, 
proficiat ad salutem in vitam           unto life everlasting.  Amen.

I also read that:

This first part of the Mass is called the Mass of the Catechumens, while the remaining part is called the Mass of the Faithful. These names have their origin in the discipline of the early Church. In the first ages of Christianity, persons desiring to become Christians were obliged to undergo a course of instructions preparatory to baptism. They were called "catechumens," a Greek word meaning "one whose is being instructed."  Catechumens, not yet fully initiated in the teachings and practices of Christianity, were customarily dismissed before the Offertory.

Likewise public sinners who had not yet been absolved were ordered to leave the church before the Offertory. The Sacrifice of the Mass was considered too holy for the presence of notorious sinners; likewise, it was thought to be too mysterious for catechumens. Only those who were baptized, -- "the Faithful" -- could take part in the actual Eucharistic Sacrifice. The Church, during the course of centuries, modified her discipline in this regard, and all are now permitted to remain.