Sunday, May 24, 2020 –
Now that we have really hashed out what the Eucharist is (and is not), we need to go over what Mass is (and is not). It would surprise most Catholics to learn that the Mass is not the Eucharist. Rather, the Eucharist is brought to us in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, but they are two distinct “things.” They go together and “constitute one single act of worship” (CCC 1408), but their “elements,” for lack of a better word, can be discussed in different contexts.
Remember, your participation at Mass is NOT contingent upon you receiving the Eucharist. Likewise, your participation is NOT contingent upon you having a “job.” Your only requirement for Mass is to show up and pray at the foot of the Cross. That is exactly what Mary did on Calvary: pray at the foot of the Cross.
Also, you can receive the Eucharist outside of Mass (more on that later).
What is Mass?
Mass is a SACRIFICE. It is the perfect sacrifice that all the Old Testament sacrifices prefigured. “[I]t completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant.” (CCC 1330)
“The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: ‘The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of Priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different.’ ‘And since in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner. . . this sacrifice is truly propitiatory.’” (CCC 1367)
The Sacrifice of the Mass re-presents the Sacrifice on the Cross. It transcends time and space because it is the same sacrifice of Christ on Calvary made present for us again in an un-bloody manner. Jesus lovingly offers Himself to God the Father on our behalf.
What is NOT Mass?
First and foremost, the Mass is not about you. The Mass has four ends (see below), and you are not one of those four ends. You participate in them, but they are not focused on you. It is not about making you feel good about yourself. You usually will feel good after Mass, but the purpose is not to make you “high on life.”
Second, the Mass is not a “party” or “fun weekend event.” The Mass is not team building experience meant to bring you closer to your community. It is not about making you feel welcomed or included. Being part of the Body of Christ means we are unified in Christ, but “building your village” is not a purpose of Mass.
Third, the Mass is not a show. You are not an audience, and you are not there to watch a concert or listen to a TED talk. Hopefully, the music is reverent and good, and hopefully you will hear a wonderful homily. However, you are not there to applaud a showman. In fact, if you see clowns…LEAVE!
What are the Four Ends of Mass?
Mass is offered for four things: adoration, atonement, thanksgiving, and petition. Christ’s oblation of Himself encompasses the four ends of Mass. He adores God the Father, atones for our sins, gives thanksgiving for all of creation, and intercedes (petitions) for our needs.
Adoration
We adore (love) God so much that we want to show Him just how much by offering the most sacred sacrifice: the Holy Eucharist. Adoration is responding to God’s love and loving Him back through prayer. You adore God by worshiping Him.
Atonement
The Mass is also offered in atonement for our sins. Atonement means we want to say we are sorry for all the wrong we have done. The Eucharist forgives venial sins and preserves us from future mortal sins by giving us strength and spiritual grace.
Thanksgiving
The Mass is offered in thanksgiving for all the amazing and wonderful things God does for us. We should always thank God for all we have!
Petition
We also go to Mass with our petitions. Petitions are when in times of need or when you sin, you ask God for help or forgiveness. The Mass is a very holy time when Christ is before us in the Eucharist. What better time to ask for God’s help than when the Son of God is right in front of us?
So that is the start of our Mass discussion. Next, we will get into more of the nitty-gritty…
Saint Junipero Serra, pray for us!
