| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Wine and water | isabel | Thursday, April 9, 2015 |
Question: It is noted that during mass water is added to wine . why is this so ? Jesus himself i believe didnt do this I guess. I did read a paragraph in a book stating that water was added to dilute since the wines made then were stronger . As of today we make use of sacramental wines which are made without using yeast thereby not making them strong at all.So why do we carry on this tradition . Does it have to do anything with the blood and water that poured from Christs side when he was pierced? I dont think that even when Jesus instituted the holy eucharist even He added water to the wine at the last supper |
||
| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Isabel, The mixing of water into the wine is symbolic but at one time was practical: as you mentioned in your question. The practice is ancient... It goes back earlier than the time of Christ. Once it was no longer required for practical reasons, it was maintained for the symbolic reasons. In addition to the symbolism of the blood and water that flowed from Jesus's body, it is also symbolic of the dual natures of Christ (both water and wine present in one cup) As for the question "did Jesus mix in water himself at the Last Supper" well that's a historical question that we don't have a definite answer for. However the chances are *really* good that Jesus either mixed the water personally, or it was mixed in beforehand by someone else in preparation for the meal. This was already an established custom for the Passover meal for the Jews. My personal suspicion is that Jesus did not explain any of the symbolism during the Last Supper, since none of the Gospel writers mention it at all in their accounts. It probably was just "business as usual". Hope this helps, Mr. Slavek Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
||