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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Recently I attended the second annual diocesan “Night of Hope” dinner in Phoenix. This celebration brought together people throughout the diocese to celebrate our Catholic schools. It was a grand affair with all the refinements of fine dinning. Everyone dressed up in their “Sunday best.”
Truthfully everyone dressed up better than their “Sunday best.”
This dinner reminded me of my first formal dinner. Growing up in a small town in Maine precluded me from fine dining; it just wasn’t the way for most people from Maine. People from the “Big City” (aka Boston) had fine dinning but not us “down-to-earth” people or so the story went.
At this first dinner there was the mandatory center piece which was very, very nice though we couldn’t see over, through, or around it; there were more knives, forks, and spoons than I had ever seen while the portions were so small I was left wondering when the main meal would be served.
I sat at the table feeling totally out of place and ill prepared for the evening. Fortunately, the rector of the seminary sat directly across from me and knew me well enough to see the panic of not knowing what do; he also had the discretion to silently show me which utensil to take up with each course of the meal.
Though I was ill prepared and not quite sure of what to do or when, that night was truly memorable because all the stops were pulled out to make the evening special; it made a lasting impression.
As great as that evening and meal was it pales in comparison to the ultimate feast we celebrate each weekend. The Church has always maintained and encouraged our exterior actions to match the reality of faith we celebrate at every liturgy-especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
 On the altar this weekend you probably noticed a new altar cross and candles. Perhaps you were wondering why the change?
The Church specifies that the sacred celebration of the Eucharist be carried out on an altar, always with a corporal (cloth), a cross (with corpus), and candles on or near the altar due to the festive and sacred nature of the celebration (General Instructions of the Roman Missal #297,304,306,307,308).
Our sanctuary, the elevated area beneath the altar, is a small space that is well decorated to enhance our sense of this special place. The placement of the altar candles and altar cross now catches our attention and reminds us of the sacred purpose of the altar. The altar is more than just a table; it is the place where Jesus, both offers the sacrifice as the High Priest, and is himself offered as the sacrifice, for our salvation.
The view of the people and the priest is a bit more obstructed, but not obstructed without thought by the Church. The altar is that special place where Heaven and Earth truly meet. The presence of Jesus’s crucified body on the Cross is the visible sign of God’s love revealed to His people.
Just as the center piece of a table during a formal dinner can be seen as a nuisance or obstacle so too can someone see the altar cross as a nuisance or obstacle. For those of us with the eyes to see, and the grace to ponder the mystery of Christ crucified, the altar cross and candles can serve to draw us into a deeper appreciation for the gift and mystery of God’s love.
The Cross has been an obstacle for many people and a source of consolation to vast numbers of others throughout history. As we ponder the wonders of God’s love, it is my hope that each of us will come to a deeper appreciation and respect for the altar of sacrifice and develop a greater respect for the gift we celebrate each day during the mass.
What a great joy it will be when we can one day celebrate with all the angels and saints at the heavenly banquet of the Lamb, and may each of us be found well prepared and appropriately dressed for the Heavenly Host- our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. Pete
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