Agnus Dei? Doxology?

Actually, this is not about “Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata munde, Miserere nobis, et Dona Nobis Pacem”. Though I could write a rather lengthy tome on that subject. A pivotal point in the Mass. Magnificently captured in Schubert's "Mass in G". And you were starting to think there wouldn't be a song reference...

“Doxology” wouldn’t be right either, since the Mass has a Doxology but it isn’t the same as the one known to protestant churches. It’s not the end of the service as Protestants know it. For Catholics, the doxology is “Through Him, with Him and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen.” Said/sung just before the Eucharist is served.

This is about the Lord’s Prayer.

Actually, it’s about the break in the Lord’s Prayer that Catholics observe. The break and the words said between "deliver us from evil" and "for thine is the kingdom..." I wrote this to Dad several years ago – explaining the prayer within a prayer and just how powerful these words are.

“Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy, keep us free from sin, protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope of the coming our Savior, Christ, Our Lord.”

Yes, I have more than once referred to this particular text as the Catholic Intermission in the Lord’s Prayer. Those words are spoken by the priest, not the congregation (except I always say it as well). We get a chance to catch our breath. And yes, I poke fun, but am very serious about the observance of the Mass when I’m participating.

Two sentences. 40 words. And this is how it breaks down:

“Deliver us, Lord from every evil”. The first prayer here is for protection. It’s also a statement of trust – we trust that the Lord can indeed protect us. Protect us from every evil – those we know and those we don’t know. It’s also stating that the Lord knows and can deal with more evil than we mere mortals are aware of.

“And grant us peace in our day.” As much as all of us would love to see an end to war and the worldwide peace that would ensue, this is more than just about an end to wars going on around the globe. Grant us peace. Peace in our own minds, hearts, lives, relationships… Because where there is peace, there is calm. And where there is calm, a stronger relationship is built.

“In your mercy.” We acknowledge that God is indeed merciful, and that we don’t deserve it. Face it – just about every plea you’ve ever heard of “Please have mercy on me!” was spoken or written in a context of “I know I don’t deserve this, but…” Our God can be vengeful, as shown many times in scripture, but he is also merciful. Willing to give us a second chance, as it were.

“Keep us free from sin.” We ask, and God is willing, but we have to do our part as well. Keep us free from sin… think about what that includes. It’s not only asking “keep me from sinning today”, but also “keep me free from sins being committed against me”. Now wouldn’t that be a wonderful calming thing? (see a previous paragraph).

“Protect us from all anxiety.” Worry has a way of interrupting our communication with God. That’s because worry is basically fueled by self-doubt, and a feeling that we need to control everything in our lives. Well, Matthew had something to say about that: Chapter 10, verses 29-31: (King James Version)

“29Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

To put it in the vulgate of 2009, God’s got your back.

“As we wait in joyful hope.” Yes, joyful, because we know that one day our Lord will return to earth, and we all hope to see that and never experience death again. We rejoice for the souls of the faithful departed, but also hope that one day none of the faithful will have to physically die in order to be with our Lord.

“For the coming of our Savior, Christ, Our Lord.” Another acknowledgement that we rely on Christ to rescue us and grant us salvation (there’s a word you should look up sometime – etymology as well as definition).

“Amen.” So be it.

So. Two sentences. 40 words.

Very powerful.

If I didn't know better, I think I just wrote a homily/sermon.