The Altar

THE ALTAR

"And Noe built an altar unto the Lord: and taking of all cattle and fowls that were clean, oHered holocausts upon the altar." Genesis, 8:20

One of the bloodiest battles of World War One was fought at Verdun. The Germans were threatening to over run France. A stand was made at Verdun, as the French shouted: "They shall not pass." For several months Verdun took a shelling and battering that left practically every building in ruins. At last the Germans retreated.

A war correspondent made his way into the shambles. Not one building was left untouched. A French guard took him to the cathedral on the hill. The roof was shot away. The windows were shattered. The walls were full of holes. A giant shell was imbedded in the floor. Practically every­thing was demolished in the great temple of God except - except the altar. On its four beautifully polished pillars it stood unmarred in the midst of the rubble. The sight of that altar aroused in the newsman the thought that religion and its altar will always remain.

Yes, the altar of God will always remain. Something so enduring deserves our attention. In the beginning of the human race we read that Abel, the son of Adam and Eve, offered gifts to God. We read that Noe built an altar unto the Lord. All through the Old Testament we read of altars and sacrifices.

The New Testament emphasizes their importance, especially when the Son of God changed bread and wine into His very Body and Blood. The altar on which St. Peter is said to have offered Mass is still preserved in St. John Lateran in Rome. Upon it only the Holy Father is privileged to say Mass. Nevertheless, that same sacrifice is offered here upon our altar.

How we love our altars! How we love to reverence and honor them, to adorn and decorate them. For these reasons Mother Church has several regulations regarding the place of sacrifice, rules which will be enlightening and inspiring to us. We are here speaking of the altar table. [Note: These regulations existed prior to Vatican Council II]

1. It must be a single stone, a figure of Christ, "the cornerstone," the Founder of our religion, the center and foundation of all our spiritual life.

2. The altar must be consecrated in this solemn way. After a number of prayers and ceremonies the bishop blesses salt, ashes, and wine, and mixes them with holy water. These elements represent the human and divine natures of Christ and also the mortal body and the immortal soul of man.

With this mixture the bishop makes five crosses on the altar stone, one in the middle, the others on the four corners, at spots where there are five crosses dug into the stone. They are the five wounds of Christ from which flow all graces.

3. In the stone must be inclosed the relics of two martyrs. Why? Mainly because the first Christians erected altars on the tombs of the martyrs, as we still can see in the catacombs. In each altar-stone there is an opening where these relics are placed. This is sealed. Above this spot the priest bends several times during Mass to kiss the relics of the martyrs. This shows the relation between the death of Christ for all of us, the death of the martyrs for love of Christ and the Holy Sacrifice being offered up this very hour on this very altar.

4. Another requirement is that the altar be on an elevated place, and, if possible, facing the east. The word altar is from the Latin, "altus," which means high. It must be high in order to raise our heads and eyes and hearts towards heaven. The altar faces the east because it represents Christ, the Sun of Justice, the true Sun of our life.

(Right here I would like to say a word of gratitude to those of you who have helped to make this church a fitting setting for the altar of God. Your generous sacrifices have made this temple possible. God will reward you.)

Yes, the altar must be a single stone; it must be consecrated, set aside for a spiritual use only; it must contain the relics of two martyrs; it must be high; it must face the east. The altar is something stable and sublime in a changing and drab world.

It will survive all the storms of the world. Today men are looking for security.

Things are changing and changeable. Everything passes, even the things we love and treasure. Everyone is looking for something that endures, something that lasts, something to hold to, something to look up to, something that has survived the centuries, something that will survive the years to come.

Here is the very thing the world is looking for. Here is something last­ing and enduring, something unchanging and unchangeable - the altar.

As you look up during this Mass think of the rich meanings and the careful regulations of Mother Church regarding the altar upon which the Son of God will be offered in sacrifice. Look up as the Sun of Justice rises above the head of the priest. Look up and thank God for this place of security in a world of change and worry.

Indeed, just as that newsman found the altar still intact, still standing in the shattered cathedral of Verdun, so men of all time will find the Catholic altar surviving all the battles and turmoil of time. Amen.
_________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Mass
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1950)