Edward Sri’s “A Biblical Walk through the Mass,” is an excellent introduction to the biblical antecedents of the Catholic Mass for the general reader. Each part of the Mass is addressed, in the order of the Mass, in brief (four- to seven-page) explanations of the element’s textual and theological roots in the Bible. Sri focuses more on the Jewish connections than those to the early Church. Thus, under Creed, Sri discusses the "Shema," but only mentions the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325), at which the Creed was formalized, in reference to the 2011 publication of the new translation of the Roman Missal.
Although one applauds the brevity of the discussion of the parts of the Mass, one would hope for a little more on the meaning of the Eucharist, especially given the richness of the literature (including "Lumen Gentium," the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council). The Eucharist, of course, is a sacrament, and that means that there is a bodily aspect to it: we move, we drink, and we eat. Aside from a few elements like the Sign of the Cross, Sri does not treat gestures, implements, and the ministers of the Mass, all of which have their Jewish antecedents, and which are critical to truly understanding the Mass. He does, fortunately, talk about bread, wine, and water (see Sections 13 and 14). When Sri does address the Mass’s ministers, it is understandably the priest he mentions, apart from his discussion of the homily, but the importance of the entire gathered community cannot be overstressed. (In the rare error, he identifies the minister of the Dismissal as the presiding priest rather than, properly speaking, the deacon unless a deacon is not available.)
Despite those sundry reservations, this book is an appealing addition to the catechetical literature, both for new and aspiring Catholics as well as the Catholic layperson seeking a better understanding of the parts of the Mass. The general reader will appreciate that Sri eschews dense and unclear writing. In short, “A Biblical Walk through the Mass,” is easy to read, and one unfamiliar with the Old Testament foundation of the Mass will be enlightened.
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