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Kissing the Altar
At the end of the opening procession as I approach the altar, I bow in reverence and then walk behind it and quietly bend over and place a gentle kiss where the Holy Eucharist will soon sit. No words, no announcements, just a sacred gesture filled with a bit of mystery. The altar is not just a table; it's not furniture or a decoration. It represents Christ Himself, the center of our worship, the heart of our Holy Sacrifice. The altar is the place where the sacrifice of the cross is made present once again. You could say, when I kiss the altar, I am greeting Christ with a symbol of love.
The kiss has three ancient meanings: First, love, I'm expressing affection for Christ, who offers Himself for each and every one of us. Second, reverence. I am honoring the holy place where heaven meets earth. And third, sacrifice. The altar is the place where the cross will once again be present for our salvation.
So, the next time you see me kissing the altar, at the beginning or the ending of the service, don't let that moment go unnoticed. Know that the kiss is not routine. It's holy. It's powerful. It's love made visible on your behalf, as well as mine. It's me greeting Christ on behalf of all of us present. It's the beginning, or the end, of the great mystery. It's heaven touching earth. From our altar the cross will rise again, the lamb will be offered, and God's generous mercy will pour out onto our assembly and the world.
Kissing the Gospel Book
The act of kissing the Gospel book after the passage is proclaimed is a beautiful and old liturgical gesture that signifies reverence, love, and respect for the Word of God, which is understood to be the very voice and presence of Jesus Christ. It marks the conclusion of the "Good News" being announced aloud, and the kiss is a gesture of thanksgiving and acceptance of that divine message.
By kissing the Gospel Book I honor Christ's presence among us, on behalf of each of us. The Gospel contains the words and life of Jesus Christ. Kissing the book is an act of venerating Christ himself, who is present in His proclaimed Word. The kiss is an expression of love and reverence. As humans, we kiss someone or something we have deep love and respect for. The kiss is a physical and symbolic expression of the Church's profound love for the teachings and person of Christ.
The gesture has roots that go back many centuries in Christian liturgy, reflecting the highly sacred status of the Gospels. And as I kiss the page, I silently say, "through the words of the Gospel may our sins be wiped away." In short, it is far more than just a ritual; it is a moment of deep worship, humility, and loving obedience to Christ as he speaks through the Scripture.
Kissing the Stole
One of the liturgical vestments an ordained minister wears is a stole, which is placed around the neck. A priest, or deacon, or bishop kisses the stole they will be wearing before putting it on, and again after it is removed. It is an ancient and traditional gesture with profound spiritual meaning, which can be summarized in three main points:
1. Reverence for the Symbol of Office. The stole is the symbol of the minister's authority and their participation in the priesthood/deaconship of Jesus Christ (in persona Christi). By kissing it, he or she:
- Shows Reverence: It is a sign of deep respect and devotion for the sacred authority and duty they are about to exercise.
- Acknowledges God's Call: The person recognizes that the power to consecrate, forgive sins, and administer the Sacraments comes not from their own merit, but from God alone through the Church.
2. Acknowledgment of Unworthiness The kiss is usually accompanied by a traditional vesting prayer, recited quietly, which reflects on the gravity of the calling to ordained ministry:
The Stole Prayer (traditional): "Restore to me, O Lord, the stole of immortality, which I lost through the collusion of our first parents, and, although unworthy to approach Thy sacred mysteries, grant me, nevertheless, eternal joy."
This prayer, combined with the kiss, serves as a moment of humility and purification. The ordained minister acknowledges their human weakness and sinfulness, and begs for the grace to perform the sacred ministries worthily. It connects the stole to the "robe of immortality" lost by Adam and Eve.
3. Acceptance of the Yoke. The stole, worn around the neck, is sometimes seen as symbolizing a yoke, much like the burden or yoke of Christ mentioned in the Gospel:
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30)
Kissing the stole symbolizes the minister's willing and loving acceptance of the sacred duties, responsibilities, and challenges that come with their ordination. In essence, the small act of kissing the stole is a private, prayerful ritual that mentally and spiritually prepares the priest, deacon, or bishop to shift from their ordinary life to the sacred role as a minister of the altar.
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