I was recently confronted by a gentleman who held strong beliefs against the Catholic Church. At one point, he criticized the Catholic Mass as something unbiblical. I simply asked him: “Have you ever been to Catholic Mass?” To which he quickly responded with a firm “No!” As we parted ways, I could not help but think of the story of Dr. Scott Hahn’s journey to the Catholic faith. I recall him sharing how he would slip into the back of the chapel for Mass. Being so familiar with the Scriptures, he saw unfolding before him a liturgy filled with biblical connections. The Mass is not mere human invention, but it is firmly rooted in the Scriptures.
One of the many places where this is seen in the Mass is as the celebrant, before receiving Holy Communion himself, says: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.” The first sentence is directly from John 1:29, where St. John the Baptist points out Jesus to his followers. The second sentence is taken from the Book of Revelation, which reads: “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” (Rev. 19:9)
The response from the faithful is as follows: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Anybody who has even a casual familiarity with the Scriptures knows that this also comes from the Bible. It is almost a direct quote from the Gospel of Matthew where the Centurion appeals to Jesus for Him to heal his servant, saying: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” (Mt. 8:8) In a resource that I have referred to in this series one other time, I came across a beautiful explanation of how this brief exchange both demonstrates the Church’s use of the Scriptures in the Mass, as well as how this passage in particular is a helpful final preparation for us as we are about to approach Our Lord in Holy Communion:
These were the words addressed by the Centurion to our Lord, who was coming to heal his servant. Once again let us repeat, Holy Church is ever showing how she possesses the happy secret of choosing the loveliest passages of Sacred Scripture, to place in the Holy Mass; as it were enchasing them there, like priceless diamonds! We likewise say Domine non sum dignus [Lord, I am not worthy]. … In our case, it is not for our servant that we beg a cure; it is our own poor soul craving help for herself, and making use of these words as a last appeal to God. We sorely need to be cured; and the nearer we approach the Lord who alone can cure us, the greater should be our confidence in asking. Assuredly nothing can be so certain and manifest, as our unworthiness; but, on the other hand, who is so powerful as the Lord. There is nothing for us, but to appeal to Him, and crave with true humility: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea. Yea, say but one word, and my soul shall be healed!
(Dom Prosper Guéranger, Explanation of Prayers and Ceremonies of Holy Mass, 64)
What a gift the Mass is to us! The Word of God is spoken directly to us in the Liturgy of the Word, and it continues to speak to us in a variety of ways throughout the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Even if we are not familiar with all of the passages and references scattered throughout the Mass, their power is evident, for “the Word of God is living and effective.” (Heb 4:12) It is that effectiveness of the Word of God that prepares our hearts throughout that Mass, so that at this moment, in which we are about to receive the Word made Flesh in the Eucharist, our hunger for Him prompts us to cry out with all humility that we are not worthy of this gift, while at the same time being moved to gratitude that despite that unworthiness, He desires to come to us to feed us and heal us.
Father Alford