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Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Over the next several weeks, I would like to spend some time writing about the Mass, its importance, and its various parts. I am afraid that at times, me included, we take the Mass for granted and just go through the motions. If we do not understand the Mass and its importance, and do not constantly remind ourselves of its importance, there is a temptation to become passive bystanders rather than active participants in the Mass. I think that if we fully recognized the importance of the Mass and what it means for our lives, we would be less likely to miss Mass or leave early. St. John Vianney said: “If we knew the value of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, how much greater effort we would put forth in order to assist at it!”
I would like to highlight two words that will begin to help us come to a deeper understanding: Liturgy and Mass. The Catechism defines liturgy as “the participation of the People of God in ‘the work of God.’ Through the liturgy Christ, our redeemer and high priest, continues the work of our redemption in, with, and through his Church” (CCC 1069). By our participation in the liturgy, of which the Mass is one form, we participate in the work of God, the work of our redemption. The Mass is the privileged liturgical action because within it the Sacrifice of Christ is renewed by the celebration of the Eucharist. The Mass is the place where heaven meets earth, we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, and we are sent forth to be Christ in the world. The Catechism states: “[The celebration of the Eucharist is called the] Holy Mass (Missa), because the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God’s will in their daily lives” (CCC 1332). In the celebration of the Mass, we participate in the work of God, we are nourished by the Word and Eucharist, so that we can go forth in mission. It’s really quite amazing and a great gift!
I will conclude with the words of St. Francis of Assisi about our response to this gift: “Man should tremble, the world should quake, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest.”
Fr. Aaron, Parochial Vicar
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