[Magdalen] Theological and Liturgical Tidbits - St. John's Abbey.

[cantor03 at aol.com]

TThe monthly Benedictine, "Worship,"periodical came late last week, and
the issue has a number of subjects related to the 500th Anniversary
of the Protestant (Lutheran) Reformation.
 
(1)  There is a discussion of the continuing difficulties Lutherans
have now as well as during Luther's time, with the theology of the
"Sacrifice" of the Eucharist.  There is the ongoing horror Lutherans
have with any mention of sacrifice in the Eucharist because this term

makes it seem to Lutherans that there is a re-sacrifice during the RC Mass,
and the concept of the one, eternal Sacrifice on Calvary is lost.  The
RC (and Anglocathlic) concept of the Eucharist as not being constrained
by time, and that the Eucharist of each Mass IS Calvary is not comprehended.
Lutheran suggestion:  Catholics might avoid using RC Eucharistic Prayer 1, 
the old Gregorian Canon, which is loaded with references to sacrifice.  
This would help ecumenism between Lutherans and Roman Catholics, the
article says.
 
2.  A discussion of the Kyrie, especially as it evolved during the Baroque
(JS Bach) and later periods into a penitential acclamation.  The article confirms what
I have known for some time that the Kyries were from the East, and were
originally part of a much more extended litany primarily aimed at praying
for someone or something.  Thus, instead of Lord/Christ have mercy
(upon us), the meaning is closer to Lord/Christ hear our prayer.
 
 
David S.