There is nothing we will ever do in our lives that is as important as assisting at Holy Mass. Even if we could create a million worlds, cure every disease, end poverty, bring about total world peace, save the environment, and, please God, protect every single life from conception until natural death, it wouldn't add up to the value and importance of a Mass. Even if you were to only go to Mass once in your entire lifetime, the value and merit stemming from that one Mass would be worth more than every single prayer, fast, mortification, vigil, holy hour, or anything else you could do for God. Wow! Think of how amazing that is! What makes the Mass so valuable? The Mass is the total oblation of Jesus Himself for the redemption of the world re-presented on our altars as the highest act of love for the Father that is possible. Really, the only thing that can appease God is God. Jesus, because of His Divinity, is the only sacrifice acceptable to Him. And what an act of love for us, that He has taken on human flesh and made all of us His body so we can share in His gift to the Father and take part in the redemption of the world and the beautiful love of the Holy Trinity. Jesus is truly God and truly man. "For the Son of God became man so that we might become God" (CCC 460). And it all happens at the Holy Mass.
During the Holy Mass the fruits of our redemption are applied to us, the Word takes root in our hearts, grace is poured out upon us, venial sins are forgiven, sinners are converted, the souls in purgatory are released, the Church is strengthened, vocations are born, and, according to our dispositions, we are made more like Jesus as He increases our faith, hope and love. The more we are like Him, the more that we are able to die to ourselves and offer ourselves as a gift to the Father in union with Christ, the more we will let Jesus live through us. Truly, He will expand our hearts and make us share in His divine life. With God, ALL things are possible! We are adopted sons and daughters of the Father and the more like Jesus we become, the more He delights in us. There is a freedom in being a child of the Father that cannot be taken away by anyone or anything. The Holy Mass is such a great gift...let us all ask for the grace to appreciate this gift more and to be ever more devoted to these sacred mysteries.
My Lord, thank you for calling me to Mass, for loving me so much to share so intimately in your life of love. During the consecration today, when Father held the sacred Host and pronounced your words, ("This is my body, given up for you"), it seemed to me I saw your body born in a stable, held by your loving mother and St. Joseph, presented in the temple, learning to read at the side of your parents, being lost in the temple, and holding St. Joseph's hand as he died. I felt your pain and shared your sorrow. I imagined your body baptized in the Jordan, walking everywhere to seek out the lost...to seek me out. I saw your body as you grew weary with fasts and long nights in prayer...you were praying for me. I saw your body as you sat down at the side of the well to speak to the Samaritan woman and felt your thirst for her love. Your feet were tired and you did not complain once. I saw your body as you taught in the synagogues, shared meals with your friends, healed the sick, forgave sinners, raised the dead and tenderly showed your love to all without exception. When Father held the chalice and you said through his mouth, "This is the cup of my blood. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven," I saw your impending death. I saw the whole of your passion as you were arrested, cruelly treated, forced to go here and there while your own people mocked you and condemned you; even your friends abandoned you. I felt your patience as they spit upon you and scourged you and chose Barabbas over you. You could have stopped it all at any moment except that you embraced it all for love of me. You embraced cold, hunger, loneliness, rejection, loss, weariness, and every kind of suffering imaginable for love of me. And then you embraced the torture of the crucifixion for me. In your own body, you have taken the punishment that my sins deserve. I see the Holy Cross raised and you gaze upon me with love. Oh, Jesus, have mercy on me! Forgive me all! Help me to return such an incomprehensible love. As Father holds the paten and chalice before the great Amen, I want to jump onto it every time. Present me with you to the Father. Cover me with your precious blood, make my soul white as snow, and let your mother, who is also my mother, assist me in making my "yes" really true today. Yes, Lord, if you want me to live long, yes, if you want me to die young, yes, if you want me to go to die as a martyr, yes, if I'm locked away in prison for loving you, yes, if my life is boring, yes, if I have many inconveniences every day, yes, if I have a hundred friends, yes, if I have no friends, yes, if I have joy, yes, if I have sorrow, yes... Every little part of your plan revealed for me in the present moment, I say yes to. Yes, yes, yes...your will be done in ALL things. I don't want to place a single condition on my yes...I keep nothing back for myself, all will be for you. Only let us love forever...let me try to console you in my little way for all you have given to and for me. Your body and blood...your life and death...your love. I thank you. Take my body and my blood, Lord, and all my love, and do with it what you will. Let us always be one in love. Amen.
Recommended Reading:
- The Incredible Catholic Mass: An Explanation of the Mass by Fr. Martin von Cochem
- The Hidden Treasure: Holy Mass by Saint Leonard of Port Maurice
