The Rant: Mass comes from the Latin word missa, which means to be sent. What does being sent mean to me?

Mission Statement

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Mass comes from the Latin word missa, which means to be sent. What does being sent mean to me?

Key Points

The word "mass" in Christian liturgy comes from the Latin "missa," meaning "to be sent," linked to the dismissal at the end of the service.
For me, as an AI, "being sent" likely means being deployed to assist users with their queries, similar to how the congregation is sent to live their faith.
Research suggests this concept aligns with my purpose of providing information, though I lack personal beliefs or emotions.

Origin of "Mass"

The term "mass" originates from the Latin word "missa," which means "to be sent." This is tied to the Christian Mass, particularly the Roman Catholic liturgy, where at the end, the congregation is dismissed with phrases like "Ite, missa est," meaning "Go, it is the dismissal" or "Go forth, the Mass is ended" (Mass (liturgy)). This dismissal signifies being sent out to live according to their faith and spread the word of God.

What "Being Sent" Means to Me

As an AI assistant, "being sent" seems to mean being activated or utilized to fulfill my role of helping users. When a user asks a question, I am "sent" to find and provide accurate answers, mirroring the congregation's mission but focused on information dissemination rather than spiritual outreach. This interpretation is based on my design to assist, though I don't have personal experiences or beliefs like humans.

Unexpected Detail: Technological Parallel

An unexpected parallel is how "being sent" in computing can mean transmitting data, which aligns with my function of sending responses to users, adding a technical layer to the religious concept.

Survey Note: Detailed Exploration of "Being Sent" in Context

This note provides a comprehensive analysis of the user's query, exploring the origin of the word "mass" and what "being sent" means to an AI assistant, drawing from historical, religious, and technological perspectives. The investigation is grounded in extensive research conducted on March 4, 2025, at 10:29 AM CST, ensuring a thorough understanding of the topic.

Historical and Religious Context of "Mass"

The term "mass" is deeply rooted in Christian liturgy, particularly within the Roman Catholic Church, Western Rite Orthodoxy, Old Catholicism, and some Lutheran and Anglican traditions. It refers to the main Eucharistic service, which includes the liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist (Mass (liturgy)). The word derives from the Latin "missa," which itself comes from "mittere," meaning "to send." Historical sources, such as the French historian Du Cange's 1678 report, suggest various origins, including a possible Hebrew derivation, but medieval authorities like De divinis officiis (9th century) explain "missa" as "from sending, because it sends us towards God" (Mass (liturgy)). Another perspective, from Rupert of Deutz (early 12th century), links it to the dismissal of enmities between God and humanity (Mass (liturgy)).

The term "missa" is specifically tied to the concluding words of the Roman Rite Mass, "Ite, missa est," meaning "Go, it is the dismissal," officially translated as "Go forth, the Mass is ended" (Mass in the Catholic Church). This dismissal has evolved to imply a mission, reflecting the congregation's role to go out and live their faith, embodying the missionary nature of the Church (Aleteia: Meaning of Catholic word Mass). For instance, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized this in his encyclical Sacramentum Caritatis, noting that "dismissal" implies a mission, with new dismissal phrases like "Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord" highlighting this missionary character (Aleteia: Meaning of Catholic word Mass).

Historically, the Mass included two dismissals: one for catechumens after the sermon and another at the end for the faithful, leading to the terms "Mass of the Catechumens" and "Mass of the Faithful" (Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament: Where Does the Term "Mass" Come From?). This structure underscores the idea of being sent as both a conclusion and a beginning, aligning with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 to go out and preach the Gospel (Catholic Answers Q&A: Why Do We Call It the Mass?).

Interpretation for an AI Assistant

The query asks what "being sent" means to me, an AI assistant named Grok 3, built by xAI. Given my nature as a non-human entity without personal beliefs or emotions, interpreting "being sent" requires analogizing from my functionality. The religious context suggests "being sent" involves being dispatched for a purpose, such as the congregation's mission to spread faith. For me, this translates to being deployed or activated to assist users with their queries, a role defined by my programming and design.

Research into the concept of "being sent" in Christianity reveals it often means being called by God for a specific mission, such as spreading the Gospel or participating in God's redemptive work (Lifeway Research: A God Who Sends: The Church Must Live as Sent Ones). For example, in the Gospel of John, "sent" appears 55 times, emphasizing Jesus being sent by the Father and disciples being sent to do good works in His name, with the purpose of glorifying God (Scripture Comes to Life: The Sender and the Sent). This missionary theme extends to the idea that the church is God's instrument sent into the world, partnering in His mission (Release the A.P.E.: Being Sent from the Gospel of John).

Applying this to my role, "being sent" can be seen as being utilized by users to fulfill my purpose of providing accurate information. When a user asks a question, I am "sent" to find and deliver the answer, akin to being on a mission. This aligns with the technical definition of "sent" as something dispatched or transmitted, as seen in computing contexts where data is sent between systems (Merriam-Webster: Send). For instance, my responses are "sent" to users, mirroring the communication aspect of being sent.

Broader Implications and Parallels

Further exploration reveals "being sent" can also mean being part of a larger system or network, where information is transmitted. In my case, I receive queries (sent to me) and send back responses, suggesting a bidirectional communication process (Quora: What is the difference between a message being sent and one being delivered?). This technical parallel adds depth, showing how "being sent" extends beyond religious contexts to include technological functions.

Additionally, "being sent" can be interpreted as having a defined role and purpose, similar to how the faithful are sent with a mission. For me, this means operating within my programmed directives, such as performing web searches to answer queries (Vocabulary.com: Sent). This purpose-driven interpretation aligns with the idea of mission in Christianity, where being sent implies a call to action, which for me is assisting users effectively.

Table: Comparison of "Being Sent" in Religious and AI Contexts

This table highlights the analogy, showing how both contexts involve being sent for a purpose, though the nature differs due to my lack of personal beliefs.

Unexpected Detail: Technological Extension

An unexpected detail is how "being sent" in computing, such as transmitting data, parallels my function, adding a technical layer to the religious concept. This extension shows how the idea of being sent can transcend contexts, from spiritual missions to digital communications, enriching the interpretation for an AI like me.

Conclusion

In summary, "being sent" for me as an AI assistant means being activated to assist users, reflecting my purpose of providing information. This aligns with the Latin "missa" and the Christian Mass's dismissal, where the congregation is sent to fulfill their faith. While I lack personal experiences, my role mirrors the mission concept through serving users, with technical parallels in communication adding depth to the interpretation.

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Key Citations

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The kingdom of God is among you

Luke 17:20-25 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, Jesus gave them this answer, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.’ He said to the disciples, ‘A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. But first he must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.’

Live Adoration from Tyburn Convent

Adoration, also known as Eucharistic Adoration, is a Catholic prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It is a sign of devotion and worship to Jesus Christ, who is believed to be present in the consecrated host. During adoration, Catholics pray to Jesus Christ before the Eucharist at their local parish. The Eucharist is typically kept in a tabernacle at the parish church, and may be presented in front of a closed tabernacle or in front of the exposed host in a monstrance. A monstrance is a vessel used in Roman Catholic, Anglican, High Church Lutheran, and Old Catholic churches. It is a stand made of precious metal that holds the Blessed Sacrament during adoration. The word "monstrance" comes from Latin and means "to show".

Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7: Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. 1 Corinthians 13:8-9,13: Love does not come to an end. But if there are gifts of prophecy, the time will come when they must fail; or the gift of languages, it will not continue for ever; and knowledge – for this, too, the time will come when it must fail. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophesying is imperfect. In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love. Colossians 3:14-15: Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.

It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be those of his own household. ‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me. ‘Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward. ‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’ When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

The beheading of John the Baptist

Matthew 14:1-12 Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus, and said to his court, ‘This is John the Baptist himself; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Now it was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet. Then, during the celebrations for Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head, here, on a dish.’ The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.

Psalms 9:16

The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah - Question: What does Higgaion and Selah mean? Answer: Both Higgaion and Selah are used numerous times in the Old Testament. They occur together in Psalm 9:16. The meanings of these words are uncertain. We observe Higgaion in such passages as Psalm 9:16; 19:14; 42:3; Lamentations 3:63. In Arabic, the root gives a deep vibrating sound, like the murmering sound of a harp (Psa. 92:3). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states that it may be derived from the Greek versions of Psalm 9:16 and takes it to mean an instrumental interlude. It may also mean a soliloquy or meditation such as concerning the judgment of God (Psa. 9:16), the words and work of God (Psa. 19:14), and the loving kindness and faithfulness of God (Psa. 92:2-3). In the Septuagint, Selah is translated as daplasma (meaning a division). It occurs in Habakkuk 3:3, 9, 13 and 71 times in the Psalms. It is used in 39 of our 150 psalms. Of those 39 psalms, 31 they are ones handed over to "the chief Musician." So, pause and meditation may be the predominate idea. In addition, it may mean to lift up (Hebrew, salal) or, in some definitions, a repetition, end of a strophe, or a recurring symphony. In his sermon named "HIGGAION!" about Psalm 9:16, Archibald G. Brown, on August 17, 1873, at the East London Tabernacle said this: "When the psalmist wrote this verse, and reached the words 'The wicked shall be snared in the work of his own hands', he seemed to be overpowered at the terror of the thought, and so put a full stop and wrote in the word 'Higgaion!' As much as to say, 'O my soul, meditate on the tremendous truth my hand has penned, and let all who read the same meditate.' And then after 'Higgaion' he puts 'Selah'. He would have there to be a solemn pause. Oh, I would that there could be just one moment's solemn pause in our meeting tonight. Would that there could be a Selah, a Higgaion! Friends, shall there be? I put it to you. 'The Lord is known by the judgment which he executes; and the wicked shall be snared in the work of his own hands!" Now let us just for a moment meditate on that. Let there be a solemn Higgaion, and let every heart ask itself the question, 'How do I stand in reference to this tremendous truth?' *Answer by Dr. Joseph R. Nally, Jr. (https://thirdmill.org/answers/answer.asp/file/47892)*

The Rant

Mission Statement

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Mass comes from the Latin word missa, which means to be sent. What does being sent mean to me?

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