Sunday, August 5, 2012

Parts of the Mass-Preparation


              Hey Catholic teens!  I decided that over the next few weeks I am going to write about different parts of the mass and why they’re important.  I think a lot of Catholics think mass is boring, but I say that if we really understood the kind of mystery we are taking part in at mass there’s no way we could be bored!  In order to kick of this series of posts, I’m going to talk about how we can properly prepare ourselves for mass.  I think that preparing for mass is something that is kind of overlooked today, but it’s a really important step if we are going to fully take part in the sacrament.
                Before we go to mass, we should look up the readings for that day and spend a few minutes thinking about how the readings reflect on each other.  Is there a message from the first reading that applies to the second one as well?  What is Jesus telling us in the gospel?  Then we should think about how we can bring these messages into our day.  We don’t just go to mass, we have to pray the mass.  The Catechism says “By the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all.” (CCC 1326). By reflecting on the readings before mass and then listening to the priest’s homily during the celebration, we take an active part in our personal transformation that comes from receiving the Eucharist. 
                Another important component to preparing ourselves for mass is silence.  Before we go to mass we should always try to put ourselves in a prayerful and quiet disposition, but this is most important when we are in the church getting ready for mass to start. When we are waiting for mass to start, we should not be talking to the people around us or reading the bulletin.  We need to try to be silent and reflective because in silence we find out a lot about ourselves.  Just ask anyone who has ever been on a silent retreat, they will probably say that they learned more about themselves than ever before!  When we contemplate who we are, we are also reflecting on who God is because we are made in His image and likeness and we are the body of Christ! 
                We know as Catholics that we have an obligation to go to mass every Sunday, but that is the minimum requirement!  If our school and work schedule permits, we should go to mass as often as possible.  Why?  The Catechism says “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.” (CCC 1324). 
                St. Josemaria Escriva said that he would divide up each day into 2 parts.  After mass in the morning he would spend the first part of the day giving thanks to God for the Holy Communion he had received, and the other half of the day he would spend preparing himself for the mass he would celebrate the next day.  He said,” We have to do all we can to make the Mass devout, for ourselves and for other people. We can’t – and please don’t – waste all that infinite, centripetal force that sums up all of God’s gifts in this one supreme Sacrifice.”
                Over the next few weeks, challenge yourself to have discipline and go to mass as often as your schedule permits.  Reflect on the readings and allow yourself to be silent so that you can enter into the mystery more profoundly.  I’m praying for all of you and I will talk to you again in 2 weeks!
Through Christ who strengthens me,
Emily

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