After uncovering the Chalice, the priest genuflects. Then, taking the consecrated Host in his right hand, and the Chalice bearing the Precious Blood in his left, he makes the sign of the cross with the Host, thrice over the Chalice. Then follows the Minor Elevation, after which the priest genuflects.
Gihr explains that, “[H]ere at the close of the Canon, the whole significance and efficacy of the Sacrifice of the Mass are again summarized [when] “the God-Man Highpriest, appears on the altar as Mediator between God and men: on the one hand to bless and enrich men with the plenitude of the gifts of salvation; on the other, most perfectly to honor and glorify the eternal majesty of God.”
Jesus Christ is for the us that fountain Who sends forth living water. He suffered so as to merit for us the living water of grace which would satiate our thirst for eternal happiness. Every grace and every blessing proceed from the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Those graces flowing from Calvary are then dispensed to receptive souls of every age and place by means of the Mass. St. Pio of Pietrelcina once said, “It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do so without the Holy Mass.”
One can readily understand what St. Pio meant in light of the teaching of St. Thomas that evil is the deprivation of those things necessary for our well-being and perfection. The ramification of fewer and fewer Masses being celebrated in the post-conciliar Church should be of utmost concern since an increase in evil is inversely proportional to the decrease in Masses being celebrated. We have seen a drastic decline in priestly vocations resulting in fewer Masses being offered. Then, there is the ubiquitous practice of concelebrations, and “Communion services”. Our world is suffering a spiritual drought of catastrophic proportions. Looking at the evils around us, it would seem that droves of souls must be falling into hell!
Our Lord thirsts for souls! Who will be there, attentively and reverently assisting at Mass to compassionate His broken heart?
Let us approach our Eucharistic Lord with humble disposition, athirst for a greater love of Him, and with greater desires to receive a plenitude of His grace.
Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Who, hanging on the Cross, out of the inflamed desire Thou hadst for the salvation of souls didst say: “I thirst” – to wit, for the redemption of mankind; O dearest Lord, by this Thy ardent charity, inflame our hearts with Thy holy love, and wholly extinguish the heat of all evil desires and worldly affections in me. Amen”
