Mass Appeal

      It wasn't until after I began attending daily mass during my freshman year of college that I started paying close attention to the mass itself.  This change in my faith life coincided nicely with the change in the English translation of the mass.  It was convenient because I got to learn along with everyone else, I wasn't messing up alone.  Learning the new responses made me focus on what I was saying so that I could memorize and recite the proper prayers with out the “cheat sheet” provided in the pews.  This, along with Matthew Kelly’s 7 Pillars of Catholic Spirituality (we’ll talk about those in another post) gave me a deeper appreciation for what the mass is.

picture via buildingfaith.org

   
      I am human so I get distracted during mass, I daydream, but this part always brings me back.  This part of the mass reminds me why I am there in the first place.  This part of the mass reminds me of God’s awesome power and my relative weakness.  I won’t hold you in suspense any longer! I am talking about when the priest holds up the Host and says, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb” and we respond, “LORD, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, say the word and my soul shall be healed.” 

 
        It may seem strange to some of you that my favorite part of the mass is a prayer admitting our imperfection.  I mean, we all like to think we aren't that bad, right? We are at mass, isn't that good enough? This prayer is an admittance of my sin, of my imperfection, of my unworthiness.  That is exactly why it is my favorite part.  I am NOT worthy.  At this point in mass we are preparing to receive the greatest gift, blessing, grace, and sacrifice that we can experience on Earth.  Are any of us worthy of it? No.  I know how hard it is to accept that, it took me a long time to accept and once I did my life changed.  Back when I was in high school questioning my catholic faith and living on the surface I thought that I was a “good Christian”.  I thought I was worthy of this gift, I honestly didn't even give it a second thought.  I thought I was entitled to receive this Host, I said Amen when the priest handed it to me, I intellectually knew it was Christ.  I had never before taken Jesus in my hands, cradled him, received him as part of myself, and wanted to cry with overwhelming gratitude and a sense of love.  I was not worthy.  I am not worthy. 

   
      I was kidding myself because I wasn't examining myself.  After I learned to look inward I learned that I am far from perfection.  ONLY God is perfect and that, my friends, is the most comforting realization you will ever experience.  You aren't perfect and God doesn't expect you to be.  Humans are flawed and need God’s grace that is what this prayer is saying, “LORD, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.”
   
      Once I realized that perfection comes only from God and that I was never going to be perfect here on Earth, in this life, I was free.  I finally allowed myself to stop looking to myself for leadership and to look to God instead.  Turning to God and being completely honest with him I can now tell him, “I need you to heal my brokenness.”  Our prayer, “say the word and I shall be healed.”  We give over all the power to God, admitting not only that are we weak and imperfect but that He has the power to heal us.

   
      I love this part of mass because I think that our total honesty is beautiful.  Kneeling down and admitting your imperfection to your loving Father, and begging for him to help you is beautiful.  Realizing that God can cure your soul with one word is beautiful.  Being human is beautiful. 

   
      What is your favorite part of the Mass?  What prayer do you find particularly beautiful?  Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you in the comments!