Just as there is a placed for silence and inner-prayerfulness, the nature of the reformed liturgy necessitates proclamation and public prayer. There is a dialogue in the Mass as we worship God. The faithful participate in the liturgy, not only internally, but outwardly by saying the parts of the Mass which are theirs. We should respond to the minister who exhorts us with “The Lord be with you,” by saying, “And with your spirit.” This response starts us off. The laity should take their role and responses seriously. We begin with response to the prayer of sorrow for sin, either in the long form (Confiteor) or in short responses. While the priest has an indispensible role, it is not his Mass alone. Next, in the responsorial psalm, spoken or sung, the laity shows their acceptance of God’s Word which has been proclaimed to them. The repetition of the verses may give a short, quick reminder of what God just said to us in the readings. The shortest response is “Amen.” It occurs at the end of the three prayers which the priest says for the assembly: the Collect or Opening Prayer, the prayer just before the Preface and the Prayer after Communion. It is our word of acceptance to what the priest is praying in our name. It is our sign of agreement with God and his message for us. The Amen in response to the elevation of host and chalice just before Communion is a sign of our acceptance of going to the Father through Christ present in the Eucharist. At the moment of Communion, Amen is used again. It should be said loudly and firmly, not whispered. The response is “Amen” to the words, “Body of Christ,” not something made up such as “Thank You” or “I Believe,” etc. It means that the communicant accepts all that the Church teaches as well as belief in the real presence. Your Amen heard at that time by others and the priest strengthens the common faith. It is a sign of unity. So let us speak up! These are our prayers. The Mass is the prayer of our family of faith. An enthusiastic response both affirms our personal faith and gives needed solidarity with the faith of others.
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