More Examples Of Changes In Liturgical Symbolism

Several more examples of liturgical actions no longer used for their original intended purpose.  Most people do not notice that the priest/deacon pours a drop of water into the wine during the Preparation of Gifts.  This custom originated because the wine used to be thicker or heavier so it had to be “watered down” for human consumption.  Wine today is more potable and the drop of water mixed with the wine has taken on a symbolic meaning.  The wine represents Christ and the ordinary water represents us.  Mixing the water in the water represents our union with Christ, which began in baptism and celebrated in each Mass.  The water can no longer be separated from the wine.  

A final example is the particle of the consecrated host broken off and placed into the chalice with the consecrated wine.  Originally deacons took a particle of the consecrated host from the Pope’s Mass on Sunday out to the various local churches.  Placing this particle from the Pope’s Mass was a sign of unity among the Churches with the Pope.  Today it would be impossible for deacons to fly to every church throughout the world with a particle of the Blessed Sacrament from the Pope’s Mass. 

This custom has taken on a new meaning.  Since Christ is living and present among us, the mixing of Christ’s Body with Christ’s Blood represents that we are receiving the living risen Christ in the Eucharist (living persons consist of flesh and blood).   In the Eastern Churches priests pour warm water into the Precious Blood symbolically representing the risen Christ among us (a person who is alive has warm blood).  

One of the earliest full descriptions of the Mass we have dates back to St. Justin the Martyr around 150 A.D., as celebrated in Rome.  Here is the first part of Justin’s description of a Mass that includes celebrating a baptism during Mass: 

“After we have baptized him who professes our belief and associates with us, we lead him into the assembly of those called the Brethren, and we there say prayers in common for ourselves, for the newly-baptized, and for all others all over the world…. 

“After finishing the prayers, we greet each other with a kiss.  Then bread and a cup of water and wine mixed are brought to the one presiding over the brethren.  He takes it, gives praise and glory to the Father of all in the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and gives thanks at length for the gifts that we were worthy to receive from Him.  When he has finished the prayers and thanksgiving, the whole crowd standing by cries out in agreement:  ‘Amen.’  ‘Amen’ is a Hebrew word and means, ‘So may it be.’  After the presiding official has said thanks and the people have joined in, the deacons, as they are styled by us, distribute as food for all those present, the bread and wine-and-water mixed, over which the thanks had been offered, and which they carry to those not present. 

“And this food itself is known amongst us as the Eucharist.  No one may partake of it unless he is convinced of the truth of our teaching and is cleaned in the bath of Baptism….”

In our next article, we’ll copy the final part of Justin’s description.

Father Sauer continues this series on the Mass in the May 20 issue of The Message.