The Mass

The Mass

            The attitude of most American lay people within the Church is exceptionally dismal. In a shocking display, people stroll in Sunday after Sunday with a clear disposition that they have put themselves above the needs, wants, and instruction of their supposed Lord and Savior.

            That is not to say that the people themselves are particularly or intentionally evil. It IS to say that by not committing or truly participating in the mass or the instructions of the Church they are choosing to set their preferences and comforts above the needs and wants of their Creator. Knowing that God only wants the best for all of His children, that He brings good out of all situations, and that He has taken every measure, offered every tool by which we are able to succeed in righteousness and faith, it is dumbfounding that many American participants still choose to ignore the true nature of the mass.

            The mass is there for God’s people to offer their praise, thanksgiving, and worship to Him. It is focused around the Eucharist, being the marriage of the Church (the Bride) and our Savior (Jesus Christ) in communion with God the father and the Holy Spirit. By fully engaging the mass we are truly reverent and thankful of the many blessings and redeeming sacrifices which Jesus continually offers for our sake.

There are several questions that we Catholics need to ask ourselves as we enter into the mass;
            Are we truly singing the praises unto our Father? Are we repentant for the sins we have committed which separate us from the Creator? Are we sincerely thankful for the many blessings He has given us, both known and unknown? If not, what are some events or situations from our past that we are glad to be rid of, and how can we turn those thoughts into thanks? When we are saying the liturgy (like the Confession of Faith or Holy, Holy, Holy) are we reciting it or are we exclaiming it? When we hear “Alleluia” are we responding in monotone or are we shouting it with joy? When we take the Eucharist, are we truly reverent and joyful? Or are we placing our comforts, our preferences, and our intentions of how it all should be, as well as, what we should be expected to do above that which God has called us to?

            Before we walk through those doors for mass, before we decide NOT to try to attend daily mass, before we decide that the Eucharist Adoration is something that CAN be put off or delegated to others, and before we DARE take Jesus for ourselves we must, must, MUST examine ourselves. Are we truly striving to meet the calling that God our father has for us?