Service of the sacrament (part 4)
Behold the Lamb of God
During the Consecration the bread is elevated when it’s consecrated. Then the chalice is elevated when the wine is consecrated. This is done to confess and adore the real presence of Christ in His Supper. This elevated bread is the body of Christ. This elevated chalice is the blood of Christ. After separate elevations, both are elevated with the host over the chalice and the words “The Peace of the Lord be with you always” is spoken to the congregation. This is a blessing given to those who will be soon receive the Lord’s body and blood.
The Agnus Dei, which means Lamb of God, is sung to Christ, now present in the bread and wine. Not only does He take away the sins of the world, but He is now present to take away our sins.
The Distribution of our Lord’s body and blood takes place after the Agnus Dei. Here we receive in our hand, in our mouth, the real, true, actually present body and blood of Christ. When we eat and drink believing we eat and drink Christ’s body and blood for forgiveness, it truly is ours. Our sins are cleansed and we are united with the body of Christ in heaven and on earth.