222. What is the work of Christ in the liturgy? (part 2) (continuation)
(Comp
222 repetition) In the liturgy of the Church, it is his own paschal mystery
that Christ signifies and makes present. By giving the Holy Spirit to his
apostles he entrusted to them and their successors the power to make present
the work of salvation through the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments, in
which he himself acts to communicate his grace to the faithful of all times and
places throughout the world.
“In brief”
(CCC 1111) Christ's work in the liturgy is sacramental:
because his mystery of salvation is made present there by the power of his Holy
Spirit; because his Body, which is the Church, is like a sacrament (sign and
instrument) in which the Holy Spirit dispenses the mystery of salvation; and
because through her liturgical actions the pilgrim Church already participates,
as by a foretaste, in the heavenly liturgy.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1088) "To accomplish so great a work" - the
dispensation or communication of his work of salvation - "Christ is always
present in his Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present
in the Sacrifice of the Mass not only in the person of his minister, 'the same
now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on
the cross,' but especially in the Eucharistic species. By his power he is
present in the sacraments so that when anybody baptizes, it is really Christ
himself who baptizes. He is present in his word since it is he himself who
speaks when the holy Scriptures are read in the Church. Lastly, he is present
when the Church prays and sings, for he has promised 'where two or three are
gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them"' (SC 7; Mt
18:20). (CCC 1089) "Christ, indeed, always associates the Church with
himself in this great work in which God is perfectly glorified and men are
sanctified. The Church is his beloved Bride who calls to her Lord and through
him offers worship to the eternal Father" (SC 7).
On reflection
(CCC 1090) "In the earthly liturgy we share in a
foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the Holy City of
Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the
right hand of God, Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle. With
all the warriors of the heavenly army we sing a hymn of glory to the Lord;
venerating the memory of the saints, we hope for some part and fellowship with
them; we eagerly await the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, until he, our life,
shall appear and we too will appear with him in glory" (SC 8; cf. LG 50).
[END]
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