Discovering the Transcendent and the Immanent in the Liturgy

Part II: Presenting Both Dimensions

The Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes St. Augustine to illustrate the unity of these two dimensions. "If you are the body and members of Christ, then it is your sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord; it is your sacrament that you receive" (#1396). The most "transcendent" moment of the Mass may be the consecration, when the priest repeats the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, then elevates the consecrated bread and wine to be adored by the people. At that very moment, however, we are looking at ourselves, at Christ "immanent" in all the members of his body.

The most "immanent" moment of the Mass may be holy Communion, when we become intensely aware of Christ dwelling in us, and express that presence in song. This "immanent" moment is also "transcendent," because we are not simply focusing on ourselves but on Christ in us, uniting us in his Spirit to the Father. We are carried into heaven.

It is not easy to celebrate the liturgy in such a way that both dimensions are expressed. If we allow ourselves to choose one way to the exclusion of the other, we lose something essential. If we focus only on God "out there," we may forget that Christ is present in our neighbor beside us. If we get caught up in conviviality, we can forget that it is the Lord whom we are worshiping. It is sad when people have no memory of reverence at the liturgy. It is also sad when people who have gone to Mass for years feel that "the holy" stops where the sanctuary ends.

The mystery of Christ present in my brother and sister at Eucharist is inseparable from the mystery of Christ in heaven who becomes really present in the signs of bread and wine. If we can get to the point where we would genuflect before one another, we will have some sense of both the transcendent and the immanent aspects of our liturgical prayer.