5th Sunday after Pentecost 10 July 2022 Unity in worship
Our Lord calls us to a very high standard in terms of how we treat each other. We must love our neighbour, to the point of never so much as an insult, and having no ongoing grievance. If you present your gift…go first to be reconciled with your brother (Gospel).
He wants us to find unity in Him. He has died for all, now He wants all to react accordingly.
Imagine you survive an accident with several other people. They all survive too, so you are glad that no one is killed.
This can be an image for how we see salvation. We are glad that God forgives us, but must also be glad that He forgives others. even if they are our enemies.
When we come to Mass we are expressing our unity with Christ in His saving sacrifice; we are by implication expressing unity with each other.
We cannot have malice in our hearts to each other as we are all focused on Christ, and He makes us one if we were not before.
The same then extends logically to every other time, outside of Mass. This would be hypocrisy, acting charitably in one place but not another. We must be at one with Christ in all times and places, and thus with other people too.
This is better than hating or seeking revenge. It is certainly better for the Church, not having to endure a war among its own members.
This is especially relevant when we gather at Mass. We are present together at this particular time and place. There are limits to how well we know each other, and what needs others may have, but we can still achieve a strong unity in Christ.
If I am here to deal with Him, and you are here for the same reason, that makes us united.
We contribute what we can in terms of charity, love of God, strength of faith etc
The more we give of ourselves the stronger will be the effect of the Mass on the rest of the world.
If the congregation is strong or weak in faith and charity it makes a difference. The same goes for the priest! Imagine praying with a church full of saints. Then imagine a congregation which is completely indifferent. The Mass is the same, but there must be different results.
We are here at Calvary, which is the basis of every Mass. Calvary was no picnic yet leads to great joy when its effects come into play. Individuals are made holy and people are reconciled.
We are not just trying to keep the peace but seeking full unity with Christ.
Some call for a freer self-expression in Mass, without the formality of old.
Think of the Mass like a play where each character has his lines to say.
If we are in a play we do not presume to change the words we
are supposed to say, or to say whatever we like.
For the good of all, for the glory of God we play our part, externally, and as in today’s Gospel, internally. If we look like a pious crowd, then let us be truly as we appear.
Mass is essentially the action of Christ, but the participation of the people is important to receive the full benefit of His offering, and allow it to take effect. He needs us to receive Him, and if we do that we are stronger each time.
May the Lord unite us to Himself in this perpetual sacrifice to the Father.
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