- Bored, and are waiting to be "entertained".
- Sitting in judgement of those around us.
- Daydreaming about what we'll do later in the day.
THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN LIFE
The Second Vatican Council taught that, for Catholics, "Taking part in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, is the source and summit of the whole Christian life; they offer the divine victim to God, and offer themselves along with it."
This concept of offering ourselves at Mass may be foreign to us. But without this attitude, we are likely to find that we are not "hungry" enough to enjoy the Eucharistic banquet that Our Lord has called us to share.
Our S. A. C. R. I. F. I. C. E.
Here are nine concrete steps to help us get more out of the Mass by focusing on the sacrifice we can offer with Christ:
S erve--Obey the command that Jesus gave at the first Eucharist.
At the first Eucharist, Jesus did something unexpected. He rose from the table and began to wash the feet of His disciples. The He told them: "I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done for you". (Jn. 13-15)
Bringing at attitude of service to the Eucharist is a way to fulfill Jesus' command. Rather than coming with an attitude of "what can be done for me" at Mass, we imitate Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve...and we ask, "How can I be of service to the Lord at this Eucharist?"
A dore--Realize the great gift God is offering us!
We encounter the "real" Jesus at the Eucharist. We hear God's Word proclaimed in the Scriptures, and we receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord and Savior. Spending time adoring the real presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist outside of Mass can help us to better appreciate the intimate encounter that we are privileged to have with Him at every celebration of the Mass, when we become living tabernacles. Adoration helps us to approach him in a devout way and experience the great love that He has for us, as He comes to us in Word and Sacrament.
C onfess--Believe in God's power to make up for our weaknesses.
Focusing on the image of Jesus on the cross should remind us of how much God loves each of us, and horrible price of our sins. Think of the words that Jesus spoke from the cross:
- "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Lk. 23:24), expressing forgiveness.
- "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" (Lk. 23:46), proclaiming trust in God.
If we want to get more out of the Mass, we need to be humble: we realize how we fail to live up to the great gift of God's love we have been given. We confess any serious sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to Mass, and we place all of our trust in God's mercy and love when we publicly proclaim at the Eucharist that we "believe" in Him.
R espond--Function as a member of the Body of Christ.
At the Eucharist we become one with Christ, and He promises: "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you". (Jn. 15:7)
We "abide in Christ" by the way we respond while at the Eucharist.
Every celebration of the Eucharist provides us with a variety of ways to respond to Christ in the way we pray, sing, and move with the community. Some of these require sacrificing our personal tastes and likes for the good of the whole (maybe you don't like the choice of music, or find it difficult to offer a sign of peace to those next to you). When we participate fully in the Eucharist by our responses, we keep in mind that we make up the one Body of Christ.
I ncline--Listen intently to the Word of God.
Inclining our ears to the Lord is one way of offering the sacrifice of our thoughts, in order to first listen to what God has to say. It puts us into a posture of readiness. When we hear, "A reading from...," we raise our level of attention, because the God who created the universe is about to speak to us through the Scriptures.
F ast--Bring a hearty appetite to the Eucharist.
In the Eucharist, we are fed with the Bread of Life. As with any meal, having a hunger for the main course greatly enhances our experience. Fasting creates a hunger for the Lord.
I nvite--Open ourselves to a relationship with Jesus.
When Our Lord walked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, at one point He "appeared to be going further." The disciples invited Him, "Stay with us" (Lk. 24:29). This is the perfect sentiment to foster in our lives not only throughout the Eucharist, but at all times: we open our hearts to an encounter with Jesus.
C ommune--Become one with Christ.
Jesus revealed God as a communion of divine Persons--the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He invited His followers to be a part of that communion. He told them: "I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you" (Jn. 14:18-20).
Entering into this communion with Jesus is never a solitary act. If you want to get more out of the Eucharist, you will offer yourself, "die to yourself", and enter into communion with Christ as you receive His Body and Blood, and as you worship with His Body, the Church.
E vangelize--Share the Lord with others.
At every Mass, we experience something to be shared with the world. The word "Mass" is derived from the Latin dismissal ite missa est, which literally means, "Go, you are sent." The Communion that we experience with Our Lord at the Eucharist sustains and prepares us for a mission--to bring Christ to the world!
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When I got home tonight, there was a "thank you" card from Father Brandon for the letter I sent him (see my post of April 17th). It was handwritten and very nice to receive. It pretty much made my day.
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