It’s such a simple question, and yet where should a
committed Catholic begin, if asked to respond?
It depends on the audience, of course, but in one way or
another an adequate response would include a few most basic elements. Check out
the three themes below, and consider what else should be included on the list:
1.
Heaven
touches Earth, once again.
Whether
it is an intimate gathering in a small chapel or a papal event celebrated with
millions, the Mass invites us to celebrate with a “cloud of witnesses.” All the angels and saints gather with Christ’s
body on earth, the Church, and we are invited to participate in the eternal
worship and praise of the Father, in the Son, with the Holy Spirit.
One
of the times that I was most aware of this experience was several years ago at
the annual pilgrimage to Washington, DC, for the March for Life. First there
was the Vigil Mass for Life at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception; it
was a “high” Mass with a 45-minute procession, incense and traditional hymns,
and thousands of reverent pilgrims. Then the very next morning, we celebrated
an equally stunning Mass at the nearby Verizon Center—this time, with praise
and worship music, and a “youth rally” kind of feel.
Each
of these events felt like there was so much more
going on. One of the high school
students described it best on our bus ride home when he said, “Those Masses
were the most joyful and the most peaceful I’ve ever felt in my life.” Sure signs of the Holy Spirit at work!
2.
The
Holy Spirit re-presents Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
When
Jesus said to the Apostles—and to us—“Do this in memory of me”, the context and
message was obvious: Passover meal; “memory” as “memorial”; making oneself
present at the event. In prayer, when I try to picture myself present at Jesus’
crucifixion, it is hard to imagine making it to the foot of the Cross with the
Blessed Mother, Mary Magdalene and the beloved disciple.
However,
I am able to see myself present in the crowd, listening to Jesus’ last words. I
can even imagine myself as one of the other apostles who initially fled after
Jesus’ arrest, but then circle back incognito to draw closer to the Sacrifice:
- “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” seems to be directed right at me.
- “Today, you will be with me in paradise” sounds like the answer to the prayer I long to hear.
- “Behold, your son; behold, your mother” provides a glimmer of hope and hint of a path forward amid the devastation.
- "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” seems to say even more about me than about Jesus’ intimate relationship with the Father.
- “I thirst” makes me long to do something, anything, for the Lord.
- “It is complete” hints at Jesus’ intentionality and reminds me of Jesus’ mysterious words and actions at the Last Supper.
- "Father, into your hands, I commend my Spirit” seems to sum up Jesus’ whole life—“being for” the Father.
3.
We
encounter the real presence of Jesus in the most unique way.
Finally, and ultimately, there is the matter of the
transformation of bread and wine before our very eyes. Eucharistic Adoration
has helped deepen my experience of the Mass, and frequent participation in the
Mass has helped me appreciate the ongoing presence of our Risen Lord in tabernacles
and monstrances around the world.
Why? Because in the Eucharist I experience a peace which the
world cannot give. I have experienced the Lord’s joy has filling me, so that my
joy is complete. And I have seen the slow but steady transforming power of the
Eucharist in my own life!
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us—
DDS
