Between a table and the Altar

[wisdomseeker]

I would like to clarify the confusion.

I would say that Altar has always been connected with Sacrifice. But somehow, today in the Church, table is what is being mentioned and no longer Altar.

Table, i would say that it is related to meals only.

How did we go from Sacrifice at the Altar to table? Is this not a change in believe of what the Eucharist is supposed to be?

No arguments please. Just explain and give justification to what you present here is your argument for it or against it. God bless those who seek the Truth and find it and obey.

 

[PiousTemplar]

I think they started calling it ‘The Table’ to try to relate it to the people, in my opinion it makes it less sacred.

 

[Bearontherun]

It is both a table and alter in one.

The table is referencing the table at which Jesus sat with the apostles for the Last Supper. If we bear in mind that it was at the table where Jesus first offered the sacrifice of his body (making it both a table and an alter), I would say that using the word table does not detract from the idea of the sacrifice.

 

[puzzleannie]

I would like to clarify the confusion.

I would say that Altar has always been connected with Sacrifice. But somehow, today in the Church, table is what is being mentioned and no longer Altar.

.

is is both, so either is correct.
I doubt seriously anyone who uses either term, which are both correct, intends to downplay the connotation of the other word

 

[wisdomseeker]

is is both, so either is correct.
I doubt seriously anyone who uses either term, which are both correct, intends to downplay the connotation of the other word

would say that table was before the Sacrifice was made? I mean Jesus was instructing in what was to come. After Jesus was crucified, then it became the Altar of Sacrifice.

Do you dissagree?

 

[wisdomseeker]

It is both a table and alter in one.

The table is referencing the table at which Jesus sat with the apostles for the Last Supper. If we bear in mind that it was at the table where Jesus first offered the sacrifice of his body (making it both a table and an alter), I would say that using the word table does not detract from the idea of the sacrifice.

Ok. but since none of us is Jesus, is it not proper to use Altar where the Sacrificed Christ is offered to God? how do you connect the table being a place of Sacrifice to God?

 

[wisdomseeker]

I think they started calling it ‘The Table’ to try to relate it to the people, in my opinion it makes it less sacred.

Yes, I would agree. and since Altar means a place of Sacrifice is made to God, how one would connect a table of meal with the people, with the Altar of Sacrifice to God?

 

[Bearontherun]

Ok. but since none of us is Jesus, is it not proper to use Altar where the Sacrificed Christ is offered to God? how do you connect the table being a place of Sacrifice to God?

I believe that both the terms table and alter are always correct. The fact that the sacrifice has been offered does not take away the table aspect since we feast at the table on the Unblemished Lamb with is Jesus. The Lamb’s Supper takes place at the table (which is also an alter). This is a marriage feast between Christ and His Church. I connect the table to the alter because Christ decided to present us with Himself in such a manner that makes the two components inseparable.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I believe that both the terms table and alter are always correct. The fact that the sacrifice has been offered does not take away the table aspect since we feast at the table on the Unblemished Lamb with is Jesus. The Lamb’s Supper takes place at the table (which is also an alter). This is a marriage feast between Christ and His Church. I connect the table to the alter because Christ decided to present us with Himself in such a manner that makes the two components inseparable.

But the emphasy should be in teh Sacrifice and not a meal between the people. Am i wrong?

I understand what you saying about people sitting at the table to feast. but is it not the Sacrifice offered to God that is the main purpose?

 

[Julia_Mae]

But the emphasy should be in teh Sacrifice and not a meal between the people. Am i wrong?

I understand what you saying about people sitting at the table to feast. but is it not the Sacrifice offered to God that is the main purpose?

[BIBLEDRB]1 Cor. 10:21[/BIBLEDRB]

Try researching the use of the word “table” in Scripture. I believe your problem understanding this has to do with bringing a modern English interpretation to “table.” You’ll need to go back to Melchizedek to fully grasp why “table” is so powerful and meaningful and how it relates to sacrifice and specifically the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

But the emphasy should be in teh Sacrifice and not a meal between the people. Am i wrong?

I understand what you saying about people sitting at the table to feast. but is it not the Sacrifice offered to God that is the main purpose?

The emphasis needs to be on both. It is a sacrifice and a meal, it is horizontal and vertical. You can’t have the cross without both.

 

[PacoG]

I would like to clarify the confusion.

I would say that Altar has always been connected with Sacrifice. But somehow, today in the Church, table is what is being mentioned and no longer Altar.

Table, i would say that it is related to meals only.

How did we go from Sacrifice at the Altar to table? Is this not a change in believe of what the Eucharist is supposed to be?

No arguments please. Just explain and give justification to what you present here is your argument for it or against it. God bless those who seek the Truth and find it and obey.

Please tell me where in the Liturgy is the word table used?

Eucharistic Prayer I Memorial Prayer (the Roman Canon)

Almighty God,
we pray that your angel may take this sacrifice
to your ALTAR in heaven.
Then, as we receive from this ALTAR
the sacred body and blood of your Son,
let us be filled with every grace and blessing.

Please cite examples where the altar is referred to as a table in the official liturgical books of the Church. This is the only reference in any of the Eucharistic Prayers (hence in the Mass) and it is a reference to altars.

 

[Bearontherun]

But the emphasy should be in teh Sacrifice and not a meal between the people. Am i wrong?

I understand what you saying about people sitting at the table to feast. but is it not the Sacrifice offered to God that is the main purpose?

Yes, I agree that the sacrificial aspect is essential. I think that the emphasis needs to be on both the sacrifice and the meal (hence both the altar and the table). The Eucharist is the result of the sacrifice and the Eucharisitc Meal is no ordinary meal.

 

[zab]

Like PacoG, I’m haveing a difficult time remembering if and where “table” is used instead of “Altar”. And just like PacoG quoted, “Altar” certainly has not been ommitted from Mass where I attend.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I dont know if anyone see a problem here. But is there a reason why the Altar was destroyed and replaced with a table? what is the message?

 

[zab]

I dont know if anyone see a problem here. But is there a reason why the Altar was destroyed and replaced with a table? what is the message?

I don’t know where you attend Mass, but we have an Altar in our church.

 

[paperwight66]

Perhaps wisdomseeker is referring to the freestanding altar that most churches have now looking like a table?

Many Catholics are accustomed to the against-the-wall shelf with a tabernacle and assume that this is the correct style, but this isn’t the only style historically. The altar in St. Peter’s, Rome, isn’t like that, for instance.

 

[zab]

Perhaps wisdomseeker is referring to the freestanding altar that most churches have now looking like a table?

Many Catholics are accustomed to the against-the-wall shelf with a tabernacle and assume that this is the correct style, but this isn’t the only style historically. The altar in St. Peter’s, Rome, isn’t like that, for instance.

Well, ours is white marble to the floor with two green marble pillar on each side and a white marble top extending over all four pillars. The facing has a bronze chi ro and the alpha and omega symbol on either side of the chi ro symbol.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I would like to clarify the confusion.

I would say that Altar has always been connected with Sacrifice. But somehow, today in the Church, table is what is being mentioned and no longer Altar.

Table, i would say that it is related to meals only.

How did we go from Sacrifice at the Altar to table? Is this not a change in believe of what the Eucharist is supposed to be?

No arguments please. Just explain and give justification to what you present here is your argument for it or against it. God bless those who seek the Truth and find it and obey.

In the Byzantine Rite, the entire Sanctuary is called the Altar. There are actually 2 tables in the Altar, the Table of Preparation, or where the Proskomide takes place (where the bread and wine are prepared and prayed over and blessed), and the Holy Table, which is where the Priest says the Liturgy from and where the Holy Gifts are made into the Body and Blood of Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Now I share this just to point out that “table” is something that has been in use for a long time and its not something that just happened “today”.