(4.35) The Mystery of Faith
In the mass, we are again taken to a journey of another mystery, the “Mystery of our Faith” as announced by the Priest; soon after the mystery of the Consecration of the Bread and wine to Body and Blood of Christ took place.
The people may then respond with one of the three acclamations; all of which is addressed to Christ.
1) We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Or:
2) When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death,
O Lord, until you come again.
Or:
3) Save us, Saviour of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.
Origin and Meaning
The first two acclamation were from the Chapter on the Institution of the Lord’s Supper written in 1 Cors 11:26;
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
"Save us, Saviour of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free."
On the third acclamation above, Christ was named “Saviour of the world” by the Samaritans who listened to his word for two days (Jn 4:42) and by what is attributed to be words of apostle John in 1 Jn 4:14,
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.”
And Christ has “set us free”
a) from sin and evil as recorded in Gal 1:3-4;
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”
b) From slavery as written in Gal 5:1;
“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”