Fr. Daniel McCarthy -- from the Introduction to "Come Into the Light"
As a child my Father, George, used to prepare for the Sunday Eucharist first on Saturday evening when his Sunday-best clothes were laid out for him at their home high on the bluffs of the Missouri River. This simple gesture claimed his night's rest and morning routine as part of his preparation. In the morning the family used to walk downhill a couple of blocks to the church and enter through its doors, opening between twin towers. There they always paused for a moment to remember their baptism by crossing themselves with its water and by renewing their profession of faith in the Triune God, 'In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' Their procession to church would continue as they walked up the nave until they found a pew. There they would pray and listen to the Scripture proclaimed and explained. Finally they would resume their procession toward communion shared at the altar railing. Then they would turn around and begin their journey homeward, pausing along the way first in their pews for a final prayer and a blessing before continuing on their way back home further up the bluff in St. Joseph, Missouri.
This simple pattern, ingrained in the weekly actions of people going to church, sharing communion and returning home again, is brought to its completion by another pattern, that of Christ who comes to meet his people. His drawing near is seen when the book of the Gospels is carried in procession from the altar into the assembly where the Gospel passage is proclaimed as Christ present in the midst of all who hear. Christ draws near once again when the bread and wine of the Lord's supper are brought from the altar to those who come forward and present themselves for sharing communion in the body and blood of Christ.
This double procession of the people toward Christ, who is ever coming toward his people, leads to an encounter in Christ, the Church's bond of unity. Next Christ's people turn around and begin their journey homeward so that they themselves might bring Christ's presence coming into the world.
Well-designed church buildings support this double procession and provide for the pauses along this journey; first a pause at the baptismal water to renew one's baptismal commitment, second a rest for hearing the word of God proclaimed and explained before the journey continues with gifts of bread and wine along with gifts for people in their need, all of which culminates as people present themselves to share in communion. Refreshed by the banquet they return as Christ's presence in their daily lives.
The meaning of the celebration is illustrated by the artistic narrative and architectural design of churches, such that both art and architecture support and interpret the meaning of these simple human actions along the processional way.
©2016 by Canterbury Press, Norwich UK
This simple pattern, ingrained in the weekly actions of people going to church, sharing communion and returning home again, is brought to its completion by another pattern, that of Christ who comes to meet his people. His drawing near is seen when the book of the Gospels is carried in procession from the altar into the assembly where the Gospel passage is proclaimed as Christ present in the midst of all who hear. Christ draws near once again when the bread and wine of the Lord's supper are brought from the altar to those who come forward and present themselves for sharing communion in the body and blood of Christ.
This double procession of the people toward Christ, who is ever coming toward his people, leads to an encounter in Christ, the Church's bond of unity. Next Christ's people turn around and begin their journey homeward so that they themselves might bring Christ's presence coming into the world.
Well-designed church buildings support this double procession and provide for the pauses along this journey; first a pause at the baptismal water to renew one's baptismal commitment, second a rest for hearing the word of God proclaimed and explained before the journey continues with gifts of bread and wine along with gifts for people in their need, all of which culminates as people present themselves to share in communion. Refreshed by the banquet they return as Christ's presence in their daily lives.
The meaning of the celebration is illustrated by the artistic narrative and architectural design of churches, such that both art and architecture support and interpret the meaning of these simple human actions along the processional way.
©2016 by Canterbury Press, Norwich UK
