MASS IS MORE THAN A HABIT

This week we are celebrating Catholic Schools Week and what better than also celebrating the patron saint of youth, boys, and editors, St. John Bosco. He is hailed as one of the greatest teachers of his time. He viewed education as the means to help Christian youth find their place in corporate society. He was the master of classroom management, good discipline rooted in liberty, and a strong Catholic identity. For St. Bosco, interpersonal relationships were his primary approach when reaching children. When it came to teaching and life in general he would say, “If one is to do good, he must have a little courage, be ready for sacrifice, deal affably with all and never slight anybody.”

Many in Nazareth were astonished by the teaching of Mary and Joseph’s boy, Jesus. People could hardly believe the amazing stories about this Nazareth native. Yet their familiarity with him and his family brings forth the question, “where did this man get all this” (Mk 6:2) Isn’t he Mary’s boy, the son of Joseph the carpenter? It’s this human familiarity with Jesus that blocked their ability to see beyond the miracles so that he “was not able to perform any mighty deed there” (Mk 6:5). Leaving Jesus “amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mk 6:6)

One of the most powerful teaching tool for faith and life is the witness of our life. As I reflected on this scripture, this question came to mind, have we become so familiar with the routine of the Mass, that it has become the prophet in his own homeland? In other words, has Mass attendance become just something we have to do, a chore, especially when it comes to getting the family to Sunday Mass or to participate in the sacramental life (baptism, first communion, confirmation) that is our unique tradition and blessing?

The Constitution on Sacred Liturgy (SC 14) states, “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to a full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy, and to which the Christian people, …have a right and obligation by reason of their baptism.

In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy the full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else, for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit”.

In your daily & week preparation for Mass let us be the greatest teacher, in word & deed, in sharing the sacred language, the mystery & marvels of our liturgical celebrations. To be the witness to all it means to being in relationship and receiving Jesus, body and blood, soul and divinity into our daily lives with the joyful hope of our future salvation.