Vatican II speaks of the Eucharistic celebration as the “source, center and summit” of our individual lives as Catholics, of our Christian community and evangeliza-tion. The Mass is at the very heart of our Catholic faith and life. As Filipino Catholics, then, how much of it do we really appreciate? Do we look at the Mass, particularly our Sunday Eucharistic celebration simply as an obligation? I’m afraid that many of our parishioners think of the Mass that way.
For a start, just ask yourself some simple questions: how attentive are you when-ever you are in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration? Do you listen to the readings, the Word of God, being proclaimed at Mass on Sundays? Do you actively participate in the responses and the singing, or do you simply sit or stand there in one corner like a mere spectator? How are you dressed for Mass? Does the Sunday Mass occupy the high point of your so-called “weekend”?
When I went to a Church in Bangkok for a Sunday Mass, I was so impressed by the Thai Catholics and the way they behave and participate in the Eucharist. Almost everyone was actively participating, even the young people. I saw no one in shorts. They were all in their Sunday best. I witnessed the same thing when I went to a Sunday Mass in Singapore. Yet, unlike us, Thailand and Singapore are not a predominantly Catholic nations.
Yes, we are a Catholic nation. Our churches are overflowing during Sunday masses. But just observe how people are during those masses: many are outside the Church, many are not actively participating, many are dressed like they are going to a picnic or to the mall or the beach. Many leave the church right after they receive communion without waiting for the final blessing. Many are late for Mass! For me, all these betray our ignorance of the meaning, the importance, the beauty and the richness of the Eucharistic celebration that we go to every Sunday.
The mass, says Benedict XVI is such a beautiful thing to behold. Our much beloved, late John Paul II reminded us that the Mass and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross are one and the same! (Imagine then the tremendous healing power of the Mass!) He said that going to Mass is like going to Calvary to meet Jesus, our Redeemer and to stand beneath his cross with our beloved Mother Mary. On account of this, Pope Wojtyla said that the Mass then is “the most precious possession” of the Church.
When we gather together for Mass, we proclaim to the whole world who we are as a Church, as the mystical Body of Christ here on earth. “The Eucharist,” said John Paul II, “gives the Church its true identity.” In other words, we go to Mass on Sundays not simply to fulfill an obligation, but to tell the whole world: we are Christ’s beloved, the people he redeemed and ransomed with his own death. We are the Church, the Bride of Christ. We are a people who belong to God and to God alone! It is in the Eucharist that Christ our Lord nourishes us.
Our Catechism tells that the reason why God created us is: that we may share in the Divine life and loving communion of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Mass, adds John Paul II, “is the only way, the only door,” to the life of the Blessed Trinity. “It is the place of the most intimate encounter between God and man.”
Thus, starting today, I decided, that in addition to running a series of simple teachings on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, I guess it would be good also include in this blog a series of simple teachings on the meaning and value of the Mass. It is my hope that, knowing the Mass better, you will find your Sunday Eucharistic celebrations a lot more meaningful and fulfilling.
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