10. More About Christ's Presence in the Assembly

Continuing this investigation into how Christ is present, it is of interest to note that several times in the Mass, even from the very first, the priest recognizes Christ's presence in the assembly. He says, "The Lord be with you." Christ identifies himself with his people. When Saul of Tarsus was blinded upon the road, our Lord said to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" By oppressing the family of Christ, Jesus himself was being assaulted. This shows something of the intimacy of Christ's oneness with his people. This revelation called Saul to conversion, symbolized by his new name, Paul. It should also call us to transformation. We respond to the priest, "And also with you." The expression is mutual.

The primary thing that stands in the way of recognizing this presence is selfishness. It deafens us to God's voice in prayer and in scripture. We ask the Lord to forgive us and to give us his mercy. Mercy here means divine aid, the graces to live this life. We realize that we have not lived up to the ideal. Sometimes, as a substitute for the usual penitential rite, the priest will sprinkle the people with water. He will also ask us to re-express our baptismal sentiments, rejecting sin and professing our faith, accepting God. Finally, he says, "Let us pray." The community prayer depends in large part upon the quality of our private prayer.