The Mass: Grace and Blessing

Before my father died, he wrote “The Anatomy of the Mass.” My father’s hope was to help parishioners develop a deeper understanding and greater love for the Mass. I am grateful to Catholic Stand for giving me the opportunity to share my father’s work.

Even with understanding and affection, a question remains. Do we truly believe and accept the grace and blessing that God offers us at the Mass celebration? The Mass is the centerpiece of our faith. Yet attendance is not full. What’s more, a Pew survey found that only roughly 30 percent of Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

We have much to gain from the Mass for our healing and salvation. Beginning with the Introductory Rite, then through the Liturgies of the Word and Eucharist, and as we partake in the Communion Rite, our Lord comes to us. As long as we are open, we can be filled with faith, hope, and love for the body, mind, heart, and soul.

Holy Purpose

The Mass shows us the way to salvation for ourselves and our world. The readings, prayers, and the Holy Eucharist help us to see the holy purpose of our lives in sickness and in health. Our daily living and challenges can be offerings of love to our Lord for the sake of healing and renewal.

What’s more, with our Lord’s grace and blessing, all lives are redeemable even in the final hour of life. No one is forgotten. Do we show our gratitude by following the Lord’s will? “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” [Matthew 22:37–39].

Attending Mass regularly enables us to carry on with this mission of love in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Prayers and offerings for friends, foes, loved ones, and strangers can provide them consolation and saving graces. Therefore, let’s not underestimate the power of the Mass.

And let us not forget that Mary, the Mother of the Church, is heaven-sent for our sake. Mary is by our side at Mass, praying for us to the Lord our God. The love and devotion we give in return secures the special succor of heaven’s angels and saints, and attains for us a place in heaven for all eternity.

Love and Serve

Truly, the Almighty God gives us reason to be joyful. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ comes to live within our body, mind, heart and soul. At Mass, we receive what we need to be conduits for the Holy Trinity to do their work in our world.

And during the Concluding Rite, our Lord does not leave us as orphans. Our Lord is with us as we receive his grace and blessing. He is with us as we are called to go and share what we have received.

In conclusion, we end our Mass as we begin it with the celebrant saying: “The Lord be with you.” “And with your spirit,” we reply. We then bow our heads for the final blessing with the Sign of the Cross. As we give thanks and praise to the Lord our God for his grace and blessing, our mission is clear. To go in peace to love and serve our Lord. Amen.