This Sunday, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the
Body and Blood of Christ, the Feast of the Eucharist, let us examine our
understanding and attitude towards this most august sacrament. We can discuss
so many issues concerning the Eucharist. But we cannot tackle them all in one
homily. Suffice it to say, however, that the Mass is not just a meal, or a
fellowship, or an entertainment presentation. Rather, the Mass is the one
eternal sacrifice of Jesus that he offers to the heavenly Father in atonement
for our sins. From this, let me share with you two major considerations that
will hopefully help us improve our understanding of and devotion to the
Eucharist. First, the Mass is all about God. It is never about the priest, or
the choir, or the sponsors, or any human being. Pope Benedict XVI wrote:
“Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement,
it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been
replaced by a kind of religious entertainment…Liturgy can only attract people
when it looks, not at itself, but at God, when it allows Him to enter and act”[1].
How many times have we clapped our hands during Mass for a “nice” homily, for a
splendid “performance” of a choir or for the generous donors and sponsors? How
many times have we heard people remark that they like to go to this or that
church because it is there that they enjoyed the Mass? For many people, the
Mass is not about God but about them – they expect to be entertained, and to
get something from it. If not, they leave and look for another church where
they will “enjoy” and have “fun”! This is a terrible mistake! The Mass is never
about us; it is all about God! We come to Mass to worship, glorify and praise
God – nothing else! Whether we enjoy or not, it is not the point. After all, as
Pope Benedict XVI said, “Liturgy is not a matter of ‘what you please’.”[2].
For, indeed, liturgy is all about pleasing God. Hence, “Looking at the priest
has no importance. What matters is looking together at the Lord.”[3].
Hence, they think it means making liturgy interesting with various innovations
and added attractions so that people will enjoy and be actively involved in the
entire celebration. However, this is definitely in violation of the liturgical
norms. Pope Saint John Paul II took note of it: “As a result of misguided sense
of creativity and adaptation, there have been a number of abuses which have
been a source of suffering for many”[4].
The Mass is all about giving. Failure to consider the Mass as the sacrifice of
Jesus being offered to the heavenly Father gives rise to the belief that we go
to Mass primarily to get something from God. While the Mass is all about giving
– Jesus giving himself totally to God in sacrifice so that we may be forgiven
and saved – many people who come to Mass only think of getting. This is truly
absurd! No wonder they find the Mass oftentimes meaningless and fruitless – for
they have totally missed the whole point. The Mass is about giving everything
to God, about offering our whole selves as we join in the sacrificial offering
of Jesus. The reason why many of us do not anymore find meaning in the
celebration of Holy Mass is because we have become too self- centered. We have
totally lost our focus on God, Who, by the way, is the real essence of the
Mass. So, next time we come to Mass, think only about God – focus on Him, first
and foremost! And make sure we bring something that we can offer to God – not
only our surplus, but everything: our crosses, our sacrifices, and our whole
selves – and join Jesus in his sacrificial offering. Then, and only then, will
the Mass become for us truly alive, profoundly meaningful and eternally fruitful • AE
[1] The Spirit of the Liturgy,
pp 198-9
[2] Ibid., p. 22.
[3] Ibid., p.81; At the root of
this misconception is an erroneous and misguided understanding of what is
called, “active participation”. In Latin, the original term used is “actuosa
participatio”, and not “activa participatio.” The former refers to something
internal and profound, while the latter is more on the physical and superficial
level. For many people, it is this second sense that they refer to when they
talk about “active participation.”
[4] Ecclesia de Eucharistia,
no. 52.
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