A meditation on
christ the priest
One Sunday, when I was on MC duty, I noticed that the regular Clergy were not at Church. Instead, I saw a different Priest. It was Jesus! With Him were St. Stephen, who was the Deacon at the Mass, and St. Lawrence, who was Sub-deacon.
The regular altar boys weren't there either, there were only Angels. They were all taller than me, dressed in cassock and surplice. Jesus told them that I was in charge as Master of Ceremonies, so I had to tell them what duties they were assigned. With Jesus were thirteen other men. They were the Apostles, including St. Paul. They were to attend the Altar with the Lord.
During Mass I noticed familiar faces in the Congregation. At the front was a beautiful woman with a white veil attended by a gentleman. It was the Mother of God and St. Joseph. I also saw St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael. They had Lucifer with them, chained and bound. He tried to disturb the serenity of the Mass by his awful curses and roaring. I wished that he would be silenced.
Around the Church were various Saints. I noticed also that there were Souls from Purgatory there. When I asked Jesus after Mass why they were there, He said that they were the Souls for whom the Mass was offered for. The Mass was accompanied by the Angelic Choir, with St. Cecilia playing the organ!
Jesus celebrated Mass in most solemn manner possible. He pronounced the Latin flawlessly, sang with the most beautiful tone, and executed His duties without error.
During the Consecration I saw the Words of Consecration exit Jesus's mouth and enter the Host and Chalice, and they became His Body and Blood. I saw the Spirit encircling the Sacred Species. All were silent for this. The whole Congregation gazed up to see the Victim Who died for our salvation. It was strange to see Jesus holding Himself. But then I saw a bright light come down upon the Sacrifice, and the Eternal Father said: This is My Beloved Son, the Lamb. Believe in Him! At this point, Lucifer fell silent.
I received Communion in the usual way, and afterwards I held the paten for Jesus as He gave Communion to the congregation. When the Poor Souls received, their blackened faces and dirty clothes turned into purest white, and I saw that they had been freed from their sins.
As Mass was ending, I again saw the three Archangels with Lucifer, who was sitting quietly staring first at Jesus, then at me. When I asked Jesus why Lucifer was there, He replied that Lucifer is reminded at every Mass of his defeat. Before the Consecration, he roars as he did before Jesus came, causing men to fear him and fall into his service. After the Consecration, he had lost his voice, that is his power, and so is rendered silent and powerless.
After we have all unvested, I saw Jesus in His cassock, collar and biretta. He looked strange. It was a sight to behold. Before He left, He told me to remember what He did, and to follow Him at every Mass, "because", He said, "you will have to do likewise when you stand at the Altar in My place."
Since then, even though I don't always see Jesus, I know He is there, celebrating Mass with me and that the Saints are there participating.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar!
Blessed be Jesus, Priest and Victim!
Blessed be Jesus, the Lamb of God!
The regular altar boys weren't there either, there were only Angels. They were all taller than me, dressed in cassock and surplice. Jesus told them that I was in charge as Master of Ceremonies, so I had to tell them what duties they were assigned. With Jesus were thirteen other men. They were the Apostles, including St. Paul. They were to attend the Altar with the Lord.
During Mass I noticed familiar faces in the Congregation. At the front was a beautiful woman with a white veil attended by a gentleman. It was the Mother of God and St. Joseph. I also saw St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael. They had Lucifer with them, chained and bound. He tried to disturb the serenity of the Mass by his awful curses and roaring. I wished that he would be silenced.
Around the Church were various Saints. I noticed also that there were Souls from Purgatory there. When I asked Jesus after Mass why they were there, He said that they were the Souls for whom the Mass was offered for. The Mass was accompanied by the Angelic Choir, with St. Cecilia playing the organ!
Jesus celebrated Mass in most solemn manner possible. He pronounced the Latin flawlessly, sang with the most beautiful tone, and executed His duties without error.
During the Consecration I saw the Words of Consecration exit Jesus's mouth and enter the Host and Chalice, and they became His Body and Blood. I saw the Spirit encircling the Sacred Species. All were silent for this. The whole Congregation gazed up to see the Victim Who died for our salvation. It was strange to see Jesus holding Himself. But then I saw a bright light come down upon the Sacrifice, and the Eternal Father said: This is My Beloved Son, the Lamb. Believe in Him! At this point, Lucifer fell silent.
I received Communion in the usual way, and afterwards I held the paten for Jesus as He gave Communion to the congregation. When the Poor Souls received, their blackened faces and dirty clothes turned into purest white, and I saw that they had been freed from their sins.
As Mass was ending, I again saw the three Archangels with Lucifer, who was sitting quietly staring first at Jesus, then at me. When I asked Jesus why Lucifer was there, He replied that Lucifer is reminded at every Mass of his defeat. Before the Consecration, he roars as he did before Jesus came, causing men to fear him and fall into his service. After the Consecration, he had lost his voice, that is his power, and so is rendered silent and powerless.
After we have all unvested, I saw Jesus in His cassock, collar and biretta. He looked strange. It was a sight to behold. Before He left, He told me to remember what He did, and to follow Him at every Mass, "because", He said, "you will have to do likewise when you stand at the Altar in My place."
Since then, even though I don't always see Jesus, I know He is there, celebrating Mass with me and that the Saints are there participating.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar!
Blessed be Jesus, Priest and Victim!
Blessed be Jesus, the Lamb of God!