Men's Rosary

How many times have you “gone” to Mass?   I would say we have all done this too many times.  The real question is how many times we have embraced the Mass.  We are blessed to have such a gift.  But unfortunately, the act of going becomes a mundane action.  We are not really praying the Mass.  We are showing up, and say we are fulfilling our obligation, or are we?  If we are not entering into the prayer of the Mass and simply attending, can we really say we are fulfilling our obligation?  If we leave Mass and Sunday becomes another day to do things, are we fulfilling our obligation?  If we do not take the prayers at mass and let them keep the Sabath holy, are we doing what we are called to do?

I have struggled with this at times, and I venture to say that I am not the only one.  So, I try to keep the Mass in the proper perspective so as to participate well.  At the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist (Mark 14:22-26).  So also, you could say that Jesus instituted the Mass.  “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian Life” (CCC 1324)  This would indicate that the Mass is central to our being.  This is where we encounter Christ in the Eucharist.  The Mass is the re-presentation of Calvary in an unbloody offering.  They are one in the same sacrifice.  “To participate in the Mass is to be at Calvary at the foot of the cross.”  (St. Teresa of Avila)  So being at Mass is like being with Jesus at the Last Supper or at Calvary.  What would we be doing if we were at the Last Supper or Calvary?  How might we act?  What would we say to Jesus?  We can go inward at Mass and experience these things.  We can talk to Jesus and ask him whatever we may want to ask? 

When we walk into the church for Mass, we are invited into a very intimate relationship with our creator.  We are called in a distinct way to unite ourselves with Jesus.  We can bring our trials and sufferings and unite them with His suffering on the cross.  We can come before Him in thanksgiving for all He has done for us.  We encounter Christ in the Word and the Eucharist.  It is a special time.  Angels surround the altar, and it is “the moment when  Heaven and  Earth are united.”  (St. Francis of Assisi)  Why would we just show up and not fully enter into it?

There may have been times when we did not properly participate in the Mass.  The reasons are many and may be understandable.  However, it is never too late to improve!  We can resolve to enter more fully into the Mass.  We can strive to deepen our relationship with God and seek His will above all things.  “At every Mass, God offers us the opportunity to renew our commitment to Him.” (St. Teresa of Avila)  The Mass is a prayer, so let us prayerfully participate and not just attend.  Let us take the fruit of that prayer out into the world with us.  This is how we truly show our love of God.

“The Holy Mass is the greatest act of love we can offer to God.”  (St. Maximillian Kolbe)