IN TIMES OF TRIAL (5)

What is the Holy Mass and how efficacious? Why should I even book and attend mass in times of trial?

Today’s reflection will be quite long and it will be split into two parts for proper understanding. Have you ever as a Catholic asked yourself those questions above especially when you are desperate for a particular need? Yes! No! Maybe! I wouldn’t know your answer though. The truth is most Catholics don’t really understand the concept of the Holy mass and how efficacious it is. If you need a favour from God, then offer and participate in the sacrifice of the Holy mass, go to the Chapel of perpetual adoration and cry out to Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament, say a Novena to our Lady. Yes, I just said it!

What is the Holy Mass?
In clear terms, the Holy Mass is the Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ under the form of bread and wine for the living and the dead. The Holy Mass is a sacrament, sacrifice (Mass bu aja) and a memorial. It is a reenactment of the sacrifice of the cross on the Altar.

The code of canon law explains it this way; “The most venerable sacrament is the Blessed Eucharist, in which Christ the Lord himself is contained, offered and received and by which the Church continually lives and grows. The Eucharistic sacrifice, the memorial of the death and resurrection of the Lord, in which the Sacrifice of the cross is forever perpetuated, is the summit and the source of all worship and Christian life. By means of it the unity of God’s people is signified and brought about, and the building up of the body of Christ is perfected. The other sacraments and all the apostolic works of Christ are bound up with, and directed to the Blessed Eucharist” (Canon 897).

The Holy mass is the source and center of our Christian worship. It is a communion with the angels and Jesus is truly present in the Eucharistic species. Without mincing words, the Holy mass is the HIGHEST form of prayer on earth. In the Holy mass, we see, experience and receive Jesus in our soul. We continue Jesus injunction of “DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME (Luke 22:19-20)”

Put in another form, the mass is the renewal and perpetuation of the sacrifice of the cross in the sense that it commemorates the sacrifice of the cross, reenacts it symbolically and mystically, and applies the fruits of Christ’s death upon the cross to individual human souls. We are encouraged to regard the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist in HIGHEST HONOUR, we should participate actively in the sacrifice of the mass (Canon 898).

The Holy mass is divided into four basic parts or ‘rites’; the beginning which is called the ‘Introductory Rite’, “Liturgy of the word”, “Liturgy of the Eucharist” and the “concluding rite”.
At the beginning, the priest processes in, accompanied by minor ministers (altar servers, lectors) while a processional hymn is sung. Once the priest reaches the sanctuary, he starts the mass by invoking the triune God saying “In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen”. He goes further to admonish the congregation on the particular solemnity, feast, memorial, event and intentions of the mass. The congregation is given a few moments to reflect upon their sins, the priest then invites them to turn back to God; thus the “Confiteor” is said. The Gloria and the opening prayer or “collect” is also said.

The second part of the Mass is called the “Liturgy of the Word”. Here, we celebrate the word of God. We listen to readings from the Bible. There are basically three readings which are; First reading, second reading and the Gospel reading. A responsorial psalm is sung immediately after the first reading. The readings are carefully selected depending on the particular liturgical year. We have three Liturgical years (A, B, C). The first is usually from the Old Testament, the second reading is from St. Paul’s epistles and letters, the Gospel readings is from the four gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). The Homily follows suit after the gospel reading. The profession of our faith, “Creed” and the prayers of the faithful conclude the second part of the mass.

To be continued….....

Anthony.