Liturgical Catechesis

Recently, we trained Eucharistic Ministers. One of our topics at training is reverence for the precious gift of the Eucharist. As a reminder, here is the first part of my reverence list. In the following weeks, numbers 5-10.

Top Ten Ways to Show Reverence

Number 4: Saying “Amen” to the minister’s acclamation: “The Body/Blood of Christ.”

Amen! means “Yes, I agree; I believe; so be it.” The minister offers the Body of Christ and we say “Yes, I believe this is the Body of Christ.” We say “Yes” to becoming the Body of Christ, ourselves. We say “Yes” to following Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Light. We say “Yes” to believing, thinking, and acting as Christ would. That Amen, those two little syllables, contain our conviction, our determination to share Jesus’ cup of suffering, to love one another as he loves us, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, to live as Jesus lived. As we receive the Body and Blood of Christ and become the Body of Christ, we say “Yes” to a new covenant, a new way of thinking and living. We show our reverence by saying “Amen” from the bottom of our hearts, understanding, accepting, and living as Christians.

Rose Barry, Director of Liturgy