Bulletins
May 22, 2016
Download the Bulletin as a PDFOur “You” in the Ordinary makes for quite a study.
When we say “you” in the Sacred Liturgy it usually is by way of the priest saying “you” in the person of Christ and on behalf of the people speaking to the Almighty Father. When the words “we”, “us” and “our” are employed it always all of us addressing God in one voice.
Occasionally in course of our prayers we say “you” to one another: “The Lord be with you. And with your spirit”. The priest and people continue this conversation at length in discussion of our sins and our need for each other’s prayers:
Let us acknowledge
our sins
that we may worthily celebrate these sacred mysteries.
I confess to Almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters…
I ask blessed Mary ever virgin, and all the angels and saints, and you¸ my brothers and sisters to pray for me...
May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us
our sins
and lead us to everlasting life.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Then we return to the near unwavering use of the “you” to refer to the Divine.
We worship YOU
we give YOU thanks
we praise YOU
for YOUR glory.
YOU take away the sin of the world
have mercy on us
YOU are seated at the right hand of the Father
Receive our prayer.
YOU alone are the Holy One,
YOU alone are the Lord
YOU alone are the Most High...
By my count, there are 17 times in the Ordinary of the Mass when we say “you” or “your” to each other and 71 times we say “YOU” or “YOUR” to God. Mmmm... inverse numbers… coincidence???
May God bless us!
Fr. Christopher J. Pollard
