Another Point About Benedict's Exhortation...

Last time we cited an exhortation by Benedict XVI to set straight our priorities. We connected his words to our daily work. Here's another similar connection to our daily work. It comes from Father Zuhlsdorf's blog.

If you remember, Benedict insists that we recognize and prioritize the centrality of liturgy or worship in our lives. So our attendance at Mass on Sunday must not be a "one off" event during our week. Our worship should be a priority. Our relationship with God should be a dynamic force that leads and inspires us in everything we think, say and do.

Father Z's comments focus on the liturgy too - again, our primary form of worship. For those of us who don't pray the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day, Holy Mass will be our primary form of worship. That's why we might consider attending Mass not only on Sunday, but throughout the week when possible. Yes, work takes up the bulk of our time during the week. But if you read Father Z's words thoughtfully, perhaps you'll understand the importance of carving out a half an hour during the day to worship and to receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.

Here Father Z drills down to discuss not only the important of worship, but of how we worship. So if you do attend, or decide to attend Mass more than once a week on Sunday, make the most of it. Don't just go through the motions. Here's why:

Do we believe the consecration really does something? Or, do we believe what is said and how, what the gestures are and the attitude in which they made are entirely indifferent? For example, will a choice not to kneel before Christ the King and Judge truly present in each sacred Host, produce a wider effect?

If you throw a stone, even a pebble, into a pool it produces ripples which expand to its edge. The way we celebrate Mass must create spiritual ripples in the Church and the world.

So does our good or bad reception of Holy Communion.

So must violations of rubrics and irreverence.

Mass is not merely a “teaching moment” or a “celebration of unity” or a “tedious obligation”. Our choice of music, architecture, ceremonies and language affect more than one small congregation in one building. We are interconnected in both our common human nature and in baptism. When we sin we hurt the whole Body of Christ the Church.

If that is true for sin, it must also be true for our liturgical choices. They must also have personal and corporate impact. Any Mass can be offered for the intentions of the living or the dead.

Not even death is an obstacle to the efficacy of Holy Mass.

Celebrate Mass well, participate properly – affect the whole world. Celebrate poorly – affect the whole world.

These last two posts remind us that Easter simply doesn't mark the end of our sacrificial Lenten discipline. Easter should mark a new beginning in our spiritual life. We remember the reason for those sacrifices we performed for those 40 days: to grow closer to God. And our primary way to approach Our Lord and grow closer to Him is in our worship. That's why we can and should give worship, particularly our attendance at Holy Mass, it's rightful place in our lives. Attending Mass frequently will help put Mass where it belongs: at the center of our lives. And, as Father Z notes, the more serious, reverent, and beautifully we celebrate the Mass, the better.

I hope these posts help to remind you of all this; more so that we all do our best to attend Mass whenever possible during the week - even when our plates are full at work. Whether before, during, or at the end of the day, doesn't matter. If you have access to daily Mass, give it your consideration.

Happy Easter!