St. Mary's Church Elizabeth, IL

Sept 12

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Mass in this way: “The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church’s life, for in it Christ associates His Church and all its members with His sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once and for all on the cross to His Father; by this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on His Body which is the Church” (No. 1407).

W are the body of Christ and through the celebration of the Mass, we participate in the most important act during our earthly lives and by receiving His Body and Blood we become more fully reunited with Christ. Through the celebration of the Eucharist the Church becomes most fully what she is.

How to get something out of mass? In Post Vatican II Church, being a critic of the Mass has become somewhat of a hobby. Many Catholics prefer the Latin language used during mass. In any case, we ought not to allow ourselves to be distracted from the gifts that God wishes to bestow upon us during the sacred celebration of the Mass. We have to realize that at the root of whatever our heart desire may be it is our communion with God!

There is time, during mass, to hear what the word of God has to say to us. When we refuse to recognize Him as the expert of what is best for us, we are like those in Luke’s Gospel: “Let me go and bury my father” (9:59). In other words, what we say, is this: I like what you are saying, but you know, I know what I need right now.” Our churches would have been different places if we would only remember that in an atmosphere of expectancy, Jesus can make miracles! In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus was unable to do any of his wonderful deeds because the local people were scandalized that Jesus, the one they knew, the one who came from a background like themselves, should have anything to say to them (Mark 6:5). They rejected the Prophet, and they rejected the miracles. Jesus’ intent is to promote faith through his miracles. The people of Nazareth despised them because they knew his family. When we gather together for worship and see no other point of view but our own, we will see no other. If we come together with open hearts, loving Christ, with a desire to love each other, even the most widely separated will come together in Jesus Christ.

When we come to Mass, hungry to hear Jesus’ words, enjoy each other’s company, He will fill us with a wealth that will satisfy our deepest desires.

Is there an area in your life that is keeping you away from God?