(On Luther's mass) Let us examine the manner in which Luther achieved his reform of the liturgy, that is implemented the "evangelical Mass", as he himself called it.  Of particular interest in this effort are the actual words of Luther himself, or of his disciples, with respect to the reforms.  It is enlightening to note the liberal tendencies which inspire Luther:

In the first place, he writes, I would kindly and for God's sake request all those who see this order of service or desire to follow it: do not make it a rigid law to bind or entangle anyone's conscience, but use it in Christian liberty as long, when, where, and how you find it to be practical and useful.

The cult, he continues, was formerly meant to render homage to God; henceforth it shall be directed to man in order to console him and enlighten him.  Whereas the sacrifice formerly held pride of place, henceforth the most important will be the sermon.

... For Luther the substance of the bread remains.  Consequently, in the words of his disciple Melanchton, who strongly opposed the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, "Christ instituted the Eucharist as a memorial of His Passion.  To adore It is therefore idolatry."

It follows that Communion is to be taken in the hand and under both species, which reinforces the denial of the presence of Our Lord's Body and Blood; it is thus normal to consider the Eucharist as incomplete under a single species.

Once again we note the strange resemblance between the present renewal and Luther's Reform.  Every recent promulgation on the Eucharist tends toward a lessening of respect, a retreat from adoration: Communion in the hand and its distribution by lay men and lay women; the reduced number of genuflections, which many priests have discontinued altogether; the use of ordinary vessels and ordinary bread, all of these innovations have diminished belief in the Real Presence as taught by the Catholic Church.