Into the Liturgy, part 8

The Agnus Dei
The Agnus Dei (Latin for Lamb of God) is a confession of the saving work of Jesus Christ acknowledging Christ’s true presence upon the altar in, with, and under the elements of the bread and wine of Holy Communion. The singing of this praise is directed exclusively to Christ, not in his being somewhere out there, but as he is truly and physically present for the assembly while he comes to feed his people the feast of his Body and Blood, the Bread of Life and Cup of Blessing for the forgiveness of sin.
The Distribution
From the hand of the Pastor to the mouth of the communicant, Christ feeds his sheep with the heavenly food of his true body and blood. Those who are baptized eat and drink in faith, believing that what is proclaimed, “Given for you” is what is received; the true body and blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin. In the sure and certain promise of salvation, the gift of eternal life is conveyed through the believer’s eating and drinking, for where there is forgiveness of sin, there is salvation through the divine sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son.