In this the Year for Priests, a renowned speaker on the Eucharist continues his series on the Mass: Faith-filled Intercessions
Intercessions (Tefillah) follow the Berakah. The reason for this is that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Since He has been so good to us in the past, he will certainly bless us in the future too.
Thus, in the Eucharistic Prayer we find a number of petitions – for the Holy Father, Bishops and clergy and so on. The key point is to make these petitions with a lively faith that the Lord will not deny us anything we ask for in faith.
Also, we remember that here our petitions are especially powerful for they go up to the Father precisely as the prayer of Christ himself.
The Doxology ends with the response ‘Amen’ signifying not only assent: ‘Yes, I agree with what has been said’ but also expresses a firm commitment to fulfill what has been said.
So, to the Celebrant’s prayer: ‘… may all honour and glory be yours heavenly Father forever and ever,’ the community’s response ‘Amen’ means: ‘We will ensure that this becomes a reality, that all honour and glory is actually given to the Trinity for ever and ever.’
During the rest of the day, therefore, our commitment is to continue to praise God through the berakah. For the Christian no number is actually stipulated for he praises God always and everywhere.
Thus our entire day becomes a continuous hymn of praise to the Trinity.
The practice of praising God in all circumstances is rooted in a particular ‘philosophy of life’ based on the following elements:
The Exodus Experience: From their experience in Egypt, the Israelites realised one very important truth, viz. that when God chooses to bless someone, no power on earth can ever stop him.
Thus, Pharaoh delayed the departure of the Israelites from Egypt by placing various obstacles, but he could not prevent God from carrying out His designs. In the end God always wins.
Similarly, when adversity comes their way, the Jews interpret it as being only a temporary set-back.
They remember that in the end God will most surely win, and so rather than wait till they actually see God’s powerful victory, they anticipate it in a burst of praise. This explains their capacity to praise God even in adverse circumstances.
The Covenant Experience: From among all nations, God chose to make covenant with Israel only. During their desert journey, Israel discovered that God is always absolutely faithful to his promises … also that he does not take pleasure in the death of a sinner, but rather desires that he live.
God’s designs are always positive, life-giving and life-oriented. So, when something ‘bad’ happens, the Jews see it against the background of the Covenant: God has freely blessed us with his very special friendship, so no negative experience, not even our sins will make him revoke his choice.
In the end, God would bring some good out of the bad event, in keeping with his Covenant promise. And so, without having to wait to ‘see’ that good, they praised God immediately.
Besides these two, the Christian has also a third experience – the Christ Experience: “God so loved the world” … Jn 3:16; “If God is for us, who can be against us” … Rom 8:28-39. When we have really understood the gift of son-ship the Father freely gives us, then joy and gratitude will truly characterise our lives.
God’s last word to us is not condemnation, suffering or death, but the joy of the resurrection and eternal life.
JJ von Allmen says: “Christian worship is normally celebrated in a banqueting hall rather than in a laundry.”