8/10/2018

Q: Why does the priest kiss the altar?

Felicity Englefield

Steubenville

   A: We live in a world of symbolism, especially human gestures. One of the most sacred gestures is the kissing of the altar by the priest celebrant at the beginning and at the end of the “Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.”  This act of reverence has a double meaning and is steeped in Catholic tradition.

   For one, the priest celebrant, as well as the concelebrating priests, kiss the altar at the beginning of Mass to honor the very sacrifice which will occur during the eucharistic prayer, and that is the real presence of Jesus’ body and blood. Another purpose of kissing the altar is that each altar should possess a sacred relic of a saint. In reverencing the altar, the priest also honors the saint.

   You see, we can go back in Catholic tradition to the first century of Christianity in which relics were venerated and the symbol of the kiss possessed the highest and deepest of reverential meaning. This sacred tradition of reverencing the altar has been maintained throughout the centuries – though remember the next time you see the priest kiss the altar, he is not simply practicing a tradition millennia old. He honors the real presence of Jesus Christ at the altar as well as the saint whose life pointed directly to Jesus himself.

Q: When was the last time the Ark of the Covenant was seen?

Makenna Moran

St. Clairsville

   A: Here is a very good question for anybody who has had the opportunity to watch the first “Indiana Jones,” namely “The Raiders of the Lost Ark” and has perhaps asked the question to himself or herself, “Just where did it go?” We know that the Ark of the Covenant was built in the time of Moses and it held the Ten Commandments produced by God himself. This Ark of the Covenant therefore possessed the very covenant between God and his chosen people and, therefore, the ark itself possessed significant power as outlined in the Old Testament and the travels of the chosen people into the Promised Land.

   The last scriptural referenced for the existence of the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem, namely in the Temple, dates from around the seventh century B.C. in Isaiah, Chapter 37, Verses 14-16, which is approximately seven centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ. Another reference in Second Chronicles, Chapter 35, Verses 3, which would be a decade and a half later, speaks of the Ark of the Covenant, but there is also the confirmation that it had been removed from the Temple. Much archeological discussion has occurred regarding the ark, whether it was moved to Egypt or to another location.  Still, its disappearance makes for a riveting story not to mention a popular movie.

   Let us not forget that with Mary’s “yes” to God to be the mother of his Son that Mary herself became the Ark of the Covenant, for Our Lord Jesus Christ grew up in her womb before he was born. Therefore, we are grateful to God as he provided us with the eternal promise of Our Lord Jesus Christ through the fidelity of Mary, the Ark of the Covenant.

Q: On the roof of our church (St. John the Baptist, Churchtown) there are the letters “I.H.S.”

Mason Strahler 

Fleming

   A: The short answer to this question is that “I.H.S.” is a monogram of the name of Jesus. We have information from the third century of Christianity that the name of Jesus Christ was shortened particularly in Christian inscriptions namely as abbreviations, but also as a symbol. Perhaps you and I can look at it this way as we live in the era of text messaging, there are many ways we can convey meanings through just three letters such as “BFF” or “LOL.”

   To understand what our brothers and sisters did in abbreviating Jesus’ name, we only need to look through our text messaging lens to see how it would have been much easier for people to share the meaning of who they were sharing. There are, of course, different interpretations of the meaning of each letter of which some make a bit of a stretch, but all converge on at least one meaning: Jesus Christ.

   Also, the Society of Jesus congregation, also known as the Jesuits, adopted these three letters, as well as a symbol, for their order.  May you and I recognize these three letters are a promise to each and every one of us of God’s enduring love and to find comfort that Jesus’ name is celebrated throughout the world in numerous cultures, but with a common abbreviation. As for St. John, Churchtown, as you see the letters “I.H.S.” on the rooftop, be reminded that Jesus Christ lives here and welcomes us into his warm embrace as members of his family.

            As we quickly approach the new school year, may God keep your family in his protective care as we celebrate Our Lord’s presence among us each and every day.  God bless you all.