Dear brothers and sisters,
I am sure that many of you have thought that the Mass is boring, or maybe you have heard people making this compliant. Even more, maybe you know people who have stopped coming to church because they find Mass boring and monotonous and at the end of Mass they feel empty and even frustrated because, in their opinion, they did not receive what they were expecting.
In the past I already published an article about this topic, and I mentioned in that article first of all that the Mass is not a show of comedy in which you have to experience some sort of entertainment or that it has to be funny. It is first and foremost an encounter with God. I also mentioned that our experience in Mass depends very much on our attitude and our disposition to engage in it.
Continuing with this topic and wanting to help us all to enrich our experience every time we participate in the Eucharist I wanted to share with you an article that I found a couple of weeks ago.
The tittle of the article is “5 Practical tips to help you engage in Mass more deeply. ” The author of the article warns us that this is not easy, but like all the good things in life, this requires from us effort and discipline. These are the five tips the author offers us:
1. Study the amazing symbolism and scriptural basis of the Mass
For many people, the Mass never “clicks” until they begin researching and digging deeper into why we do certain things at Mass. It can all seem like a collection of random actions, mixed with candles and incense. However, when you discover the amazing symbolism behind everything at Mass (ever single word and gesture), the Mass can open up and became what it truly is: the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.
2. Read the Mass readings before getting to church
It is often difficult to listen to the readings at Mass. Thoughts can wander or the sound system can make it hard to hear the lector. This is why it is extremely beneficial to read the readings beforehand, as you will already be familiar with scripture passages and will have a better chance of paying attention. These readings are always available online (Continued on page 3)
at the USCCB website, or through a vast array of apps, such as iBreviary, ePrexES
3. Arrive early and/or observe 15-30 minutes of silence before Mass
It is much easier to remain attentive at Mass when you don’t come flying in at the last moment (or after the homily begins). A few moments of prayer can allow a person to decompress from the busyness of life and focus their attention on God.
4. Use the missalette or bring a missal
What can be helpful is to follow along with the words of the priest, which then focuses a person’s attention on the Mass. Sometimes it is easy to be distracted while the priest is saying the Eucharistic Prayer and so reading the words he is saying can help focus your attention. The words at Mass are really quite beautiful and very easy to miss if we are not aware of what is going on. A person can purchase their own missal to bring along, or subscribe to a monthly publication that publishes the prayers and readings for Sunday and daily Masses.
5. Ask your Guardian Angel to help you stay attentive
It is easy to forget that Mass is a meeting between Heaven and Earth and that your Guardian Angel is the perfect helper to keep you immersed in the liturgy. They are there at your side and ready to help. All we have to do is ask. They especially appreciate the invitation to accompany you as you receive Holy Communion.
Fr. Manuel Rosiles, MSpS
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