Good morning, Digital Neighbors!
One of the ongoing challenges of faith, especially in the surrendering of the self to the will of God is the attention we give to the correct things, rather than the incorrect ones. Most of us spend too much time thinking mainly of ourselves. I say this as one who is guilty of it far too often. Even with attentive discipline, the More Me and Only Me seems to find ways to worm itself in my decisions and judgments. MINE, said with the vigor of a two-year-old, looms over my decisions. Sure, my interior toddler has matured, but it can easily revert to that mentality when my will is frustrated or met with opposition from life. While those moments are few and far between, that little toddler never seems to completely disappear. Too many things perpetuate its existence.
Think of all the things in life that afford us the temptation of self-preoccupation. Smartphones, social media nonsense (does this qualify?) 🤪, click-bait videos that gobble up the edges of our free time, food at the ready, life at the click of a button, conveniences beyond our great grandparents’ wildest imaginings. I don’t mention these to shame any of us, but to offer perspective. Naming just how good life is, is a good antidote to the temptation to become comfortable with our politely selfish ways. Telling ourselves frequently that things do not always have to go my way or be easy is good medicine. We need good medicine in our lives. I am not saying we all must be austere monks, but more NO to things gives God more space to move. There is no discipleship without discipline.
Mass is the greatest antidote to this mindset when prayed well. God doesn’t need our worship but delights in it. Our worship adds nothing to His greatness but helps us to grow in holiness. The ritual of the Mass, its consistent rhythmic nature, invites us to become more selfless. I am thinking less of me and more of Thee. I am not completely oblivious to others around me, in fact I may well be praying for them at Mass, but my first focus is God, then my praying brothers and sisters and finally myself. Mass is supposed to be selfless, not mindless. The ritual of our worship, if prayer inattentively, becomes another form of repetition that does not help us towards spiritual maturity.
While the elements of Mass have an impact on its celebration, Mass is not about the various elements we might ascribe to a “Good Mass.” Good music, an engaging priest, good homilies, a beautiful environment, the presence of friends or family are all important but secondary elements to being united in praise to the Father through the Son in union with the Holy Spirit. If all or any of those elements fail to draw you to God, Mass might be difficult, but it should not be impossible. The Word is proclaimed, even if preached upon poorly, and the Sacrifice is offered. Saying Amen to Jesus is more than enough when I focus upon that. Worship mirrors life, we are there for God first, then our neighbors and finally ourselves. Blessed Lent Readers! A prayer below the fold for Supporters
