In the July 1995 issue of Homiletic and Pastoral Review Fr. Robert Sokolowski makes the observation: "The church sacramentally reenacts the sacrifice of the cross because Christ enacted that sacrifice at the Last Supper." Before His death our Lord offers His Body and Blood. After His death we offer His Body and Blood in the sacrifice of the mass. His death transcends time and space. His death is for every time and every place. This dimension of the mass has been lost to many, if not most Catholics today. The new catechism clearly teaches that the mass is the sacrifice of Calvary reenacted (1362-1372). The church must make every effort to implement this central meaning of the mass, but the sacrifice of the mass must not only be taught it must also be assimilated through the worship and piety of the church.

In my view the present Vernacular Mass makes it more difficult to express and understand that the mass is the reenactment of the sacrifice of the cross. The Old Latin mass conveyed more easily the mystery of Calvary's sacrifice. Ecclesiastical Latin has been hallowed by centuries of use. With the old rite the position of the priest and altar emphasized the transcendent and sacrificial nature of the mass. The new Vernacular Mass lacks these beneficial attributes. The English is often banal. When priest and people face each other at mass the emphasis is more on the Eucharist as the community's meal than Christ's sacrifice.

In order to overcome their deficiencies the priest must offer the new mass with the conscious awareness that it is the reenactment of Christ's sacrifice. I believe this awareness will assist the priest to be more reverent and present to the mystery. Facing the people draws attention to the priest. He must in turn redirect that attention to the sacrifice. He does this by His devotion, words, and actions.

The role of the priest in emphasizing the essentially sacrificial and transcendental aspects of the mass is clearly expressed with the words of Consecration. The Sacramentary indicates that the words are spoken over the bread and wine by the priest. The host and cup should not be presented to the people while the words of consecration are spoken. The words of Consecration make the sacrament. Christ is made present so that He may be offered. The words spoken over the bread and wine emphasize Christ's sacrificial action. When then the words are spoken as the gifts are presented to the people the emphasis is on the Eucharistic meal rather than the sacrifice of the mass.

The priest is also required by the Sacramentary to elevate the host and cup after the words of consecration. This is not only a moment for adoration, it is also a way in which Christ is offered to the Father.