5th Sunday after Pentecost 28.6.15 Being transformed
The Holy Mass could be seen as an event like others, something which begins at a certain time, ends at a certain time, and then on to the next thing.
But although Mass does fit into a schedule along with other events, it is of an entirely different order. The Mass is meant to change us within as we are caught up in divine and eternal mysteries.
Mass is something much bigger than I am. I can take in other events with a certain amount of detachment, but if I am to participate fully in a Mass I must lose myself in the mysteries.
We do not just ‘go to’ Mass; we are ‘taken up’ into Mass. Each Mass is an encounter with the infinite goodness and mercy of God Himself.
It helps a lot if we prepare for each Mass and put ourselves as far as possible into the right disposition. Today’s Gospel tells us not to come to the altar until we have been reconciled with anyone with whom we have some discord.
It is very difficult to know in some cases just how reconciled we are with certain other people. We may have a chance to be reconciled with those nearby, such as husband and wife. But for those further afield we are not required to go through the address book and ring up every person to say sorry!
We should, however, at least have good will towards all who have offended us. We should want the best possible thing for them, in terms of God's will.
And the best possible thing for them is to be in a state of grace, to be on the way to heaven. As to their earthly prosperity, again it is a matter of God’s will - whatever He wants for them is what we want.
It is tempting to want our enemies to suffer something, but we rise above this, with God's help. The epistle tells us that we should bless our enemies instead of curse them. We wish them in heaven, not hell!
We may be ready to reconcile but the other person may not. In that case we can at least want them to come to a better attitude – mainly with God, and by extension with us.
In terms of disposition for Mass charity is the most important point. It would be safe to say that none of us is as charitable as we should be.
Fortunately it is not just what we bring to the Mass but what the Mass can do for us.
In the Mass we receive the love of God, as we experience the effects of Our Lord’s sacrifice of Himself.
So the Mass enables us to be more charitable than we would have been if we had not come.
The same would apply for other qualities which we need to have: such as chastity, honesty, zeal for the faith, humility.
We can always use more of these qualities. Anything we lack when we come in to the Mass we can expect to have more of that quality when we go out again.
The Mass is a transforming experience if we let it be, if we want it to be.
Even if we doubt we can ever improve in certain areas we must not limit the power of God to our own expectations. Leave the window open for Him and He will come in!
And what we achieve in one Mass can lead to further growth in another.
May the Lord make us one, as we gather around Him!
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