God wants you to encounter Him
In the Church's liturgy the divine blessing is fully revealed and communicated. The Father is acknowledged and adored as the source and the end of all the blessings of creation and salvation. In his Word who became incarnate, died, and rose for us, he fills us with his blessings. Through his Word, he pours into our hearts the Gift that contains all gifts, the Holy Spirit. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1082
"Seated at the right hand of the Father" and pouring out the Holy Spirit on his Body which is the Church, Christ now acts through the sacraments he instituted to communicate his grace. The sacraments are perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1084
In the liturgy of the New Covenant every liturgical action, especially the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments, is an encounter between Christ and the Church. The liturgical assembly derives its unity from the "communion of the Holy Spirit" who gathers the children of God into the one Body of Christ. This assembly transcends racial, cultural, social - indeed, all human affinities. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1097
Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. It is Him that is being proclaimed at Mass. He is present whether or not the lector knows how to pronounce the words, or is speaking clearly or is dynamic. He is present in the Eucharist whether or not you believe it. God became man that we may join in His glory. He doesn’t need us; We need Him.
The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer – Pope Paul VI
The dual dimension of the Christian liturgy as a response of faith and love to the spiritual blessings the Father bestows on us is thus evident. On the one hand, the Church, united with her Lord and "in the Holy Spirit," blesses the Father "for his inexpressible gift in her adoration, praise, and thanksgiving. On the other hand, until the consummation of God's plan, the Church never ceases to present to the Father the offering of his own gifts and to beg him to send the Holy Spirit upon that offering, upon herself, upon the faithful, and upon the whole world, so that through communion in the death and resurrection of Christ the Priest, and by the power of the Spirit, these divine blessings will bring forth the fruits of life "to the praise of his glorious grace." Catechism of the Catholic Church 1083
Liturgy is an "action" of the whole Christ (Christus totus). Those who even now celebrate it without signs are already in the heavenly liturgy, where celebration is wholly communion and feast. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1136
Prayer is communication with God. In the Mass we talk to God then God speaks to us; We give to God then God gives to us. It is because of this that Vatican II, in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, said that "full, conscious and active participation by all the faithful" is the "right and the duty" of all the faithful. We are not showing up to be part of the audience; We are coming to Mass to be a part of it. Full Participation: This starts with giving your time to the Mass. This isn’t just about freeing yourself from distractions during Mass (Like turning off your cell phone), but about giving yourself time to prepare for the liturgy. This isn’t just about going early to Mass, where at the Life Teen 6pm Mass you’ll have time to practice the songs being sung. This is about going over the scripture earlier in the week and fasting before Mass.
Conscious Participation: This starts with openness to God through the music, readings, prayers, and Eucharist. It’s also about paying attention to words of the Liturgy. What are we praying? Why are we praying it? When the congregation is receiving the Eucharist, watch as God gives himself to each and every one of us gathered.
Active Participation: When it’s time for silence, we are silent. When it’s time to sing, we sing. When it’s time to pray, we pray. When it’s time to listen, we listen. When it’s time to stand, we stand. When it’s time to kneel, we kneel. When it’s time to give, we give. When it’s time to receive, we receive. To create solidarity, be attentive to where you take your place and set a good example. Go as close as possible to the Eucharistic table. Go to the middle of the pew and sit next to somebody and make room for others next to you. The Body of Christ has to be visible, audible, tangible.
Singing
"The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy."20 The composition and singing of inspired psalms, often accompanied by musical instruments, were already closely linked to the liturgical celebrations of the Old Covenant. The Church continues and develops this tradition: "Address . . . one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart." "He who sings prays twice." Catechism of the Catholic Church 1156
The Word
The liturgy of the Word is an integral part of sacramental celebrations. To nourish the faith of believers, the signs which accompany the Word of God should be emphasized: the book of the Word (a lectionary or a book of the Gospels), its veneration (procession, incense, candles), the place of its proclamation (lectern or ambo), its audible and intelligible reading, the minister's homily which extends its proclamation, and the responses of the assembly (acclamations, meditation psalms, litanies, and profession of faith). Catechism of the Catholic Church 1154
The Eucharist
The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch." Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324 When Mass is celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar – St. John Chrysostom
In the liturgy of the Church, it is principally his own Paschal mystery that Christ signifies and makes present. During his earthly life Jesus announced his Paschal mystery by his teaching and anticipated it by his actions. When his Hour comes, he lives out the unique event of history which does not pass away: Jesus dies, is buried, rises from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father "once for all." His Paschal mystery is a real event that occurred in our history, but it is unique: all other historical events happen once, and then they pass away, swallowed up in the past. The Paschal mystery of Christ, by contrast, cannot remain only in the past, because by his death he destroyed death, and all that Christ is - all that he did and suffered for all men - participates in the divine eternity, and so transcends all times while being made present in them all. The event of the Cross and Resurrection abides and draws everything toward life. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1085
The Passover sacrifice also known as the Paschal Lamb, is the sacrifice that the Torah mandates to be brought on the eve of Passover, and eaten on the first night of the holiday with bitter herbs and matzo. The sacrifice took place in the court of the Temple at Jerusalem, with a priest and altar. From these Jewish roots we believe that Jesus is our Paschal Lamb and His sacrifice is an eternal one. When we have the sacrifice on the altar we are taking part in this eternal transcendent event.
Put all the good works in the world against one Holy Mass; They will be as a grain of sand beside a mountain – St. John Vianney
It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass – St. Padre Pio
You can email me the answers to the questions at [email protected] or turn them into me at the next Life Night.
What is the role of meals in your family? Do you eat together everyday? At holidays?
How is the Eucharist like our Church’s family dinner?
Describe the Eucharist in your own words.
Why is it the “source and summit” of everything we believe and do as Catholics?
Do you struggle with truly believing in God’s real presence in the Eucharist? Why or why not?
What are some ways that we as a parish community can live a more Eucharist-centered life?
What can you do to participate more fully in Mass?