The altar : in Roman catholic liturgy

Abstract

The Roman Catholic churches are many. They may be grand, simple, large, small, rich, poor, but they all have one thing in common, the table which we call the Altar. For, strictly speaking, the Christian altar is nothing but a table. Semantically, historically and theologically speaking, it is a table. A ready table for the sacrifice of Christ around which the people of God gather joyfully to partake of the bread of life and the chalice of unity; the blessed food which renews and comforts the soul and which strengthens the banqueteers in love and understanding, makes them a Church, the body of Christ, together in one heart and one soul. It is a table which recalls the one on which, on the eve of his passion and death, Christ instituted his sacrament of love and at the same time gives a foretaste of the banquet table in the heavenly Jerusalem, where the worthy disciples feast with Christ. [...]