The title used for Christ in the Liturgy is “Lord.” We are so used to using that title that it is almost thought of as his proper name. “Dear Lord,” “my Lord,” etc. occurs in our private prayers as well as in the Liturgy. Lord is not his proper name as much as it is what he is, not who he is. The word “Lord” is not used exclusively with Jesus. The Father is called Lord in the prayers of the Mass. The Holy Spirit is Lord, too. The word means “divine.” Is this just a frivolous distinction? No. His name spoken by the angels is Jesus, the one who saves (Luke 2:21). Christ means the anointed one. One who has a special mission is anointed by God. In the prayers of the Church, it helps to realize when the word Lord is used that this nuance be kept in mind. It helps us to realize what we are doing. Our prayer is directed to God the Father, sometimes referred to as Lord in the Canon of the Mass. So Christ who is man and can pray intercedes for us as the Preface says. He is also Lord, that is, God, and not just a wise man, a prophet, but Lord. In the mystery of the Incarnation, Jesus is both God and man. In fact, it is the only title that Jesus used in speaking of himself, namely, Son of man. Jesus is one person, but two natures. As man, he prays; as God, he takes us to the Father. A favorable hearing is granted to us because Jesus is both God and man, bringing us to the Father. So when we say, “through Jesus Christ, Our Lord,” we realize the great truth that lies behind that title, “Lord.” We are one with him by the working of the Holy Spirit, who moves us to join Jesus and to be led toward the Father. Our reception will be good, because Jesus himself takes it to the Father, and Jesus is Lord.
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