Go Into Mass with the Right Attitude

Why do we so often find ourselves lost in mass?

So often I hear people say “I feel like I don’t get anything out of mass,” or that “mass just doses’t make me feel anything.” And often these are people who are trying to be serious about their faith. So what are they doing wrong? What is their parish doing wrong?

Firstly, this is the most important principle to remember: the mass isn’t a show or entrainment. Every time the priest raises the host above the altar and says the words of consecration, Jesus literally dies again right in front of us, breaks the barrier of time, and ends the bonds of sin and death. This is called anamnesis — Jesus’ passion is literally present again in front of us. So if you aren’t going into mass with the attitude that you are watching Jesus die and save you, you have the wrong attitude. And we are all guilty of that. I sometimes find myself thinking about how I am going to have enough time to watch the Sunday night football game if I have to do X and Y by Sunday night. But when we go into mass with a good attitude and place our full presence with Jesus, we actually feel the transubstantiation, we feel the sacrifice. Even reading this now, if you are in the right attitude, you might get goosebumps thinking about what actually happens at mass. Now, add the fact that when you are at mass you are face-to-face with Jesus, it should make it even more surreal.

This brings up a second point — you get out of the mass what you put into it. If you go into the mass “praying” for it to end or with an obstinate heart, you will not feel anything. You will feel the same way you left. It is the same as an discussion — if you go into a discussion with your mind already made up, not allowing for any counterpoints or nuances, you will leave with nothing gained. God’s grace is a gift, and like all gifts, we can choose to accept or deny it, and by hardening you heart, you deny the grace He has offered.

But there are sometimes when it isn’t all on the parishioner to make the mass the surreal moment it is, that is to create the reverence that is should be. Priests and parishes need to do certain things to create a reverent environment so that people can focus on the sacrifice that is occurring before their eyes. First off, clapping should never take place during the mass. As I said, the mass isn’t a celebration, and the priest is a mere servant. His homily isn’t meant to be the next platonic dialogue, it is meant to reflect on the message of the gospel and prepare you to receive the greatest thing in the universe, Jesus Christ. So, nothing bothers me more when people clap after priest’s homilies, which not only is inappropriate but also irreverent. It creates a casual environment for the greatest sacrifice in the history of creation. Secondly, the way the moment of consecration is pretend is extremely important. The Roman Missal, the book that contains the prayers of the mass, give the following instructions to priests at the moment of consecration: “In the formulas that follow, the words of the Lord should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, as the nature of these words requires.” This means that it shouldn’t be a quick read over and then move onto the mystery of faith. No, it should be slow, clear, and precise so that the Church can see and understand the gravity of what is happening. Most priests are extremely revenant when they say the words, but just like us, priests have bad days and have times when they aren’t fully focused. But it is in these rushed prayers that sometimes people feel like the consecration is just like any other part of the mass, which it isn’t!

To conclude, although there are things that the priest and parish can do to make the mass and consecration more reverent, the responsibility is on the parishioner. to be open to change, specifically the change that will occur in their heart becomes Jesus truly present at mass.

I have created the following guidelines that I encourage all parishioner and families to follow for mass:

1. Say a prayer of preparation for mass before going into mass. You can find some here.

2. Leave your phone in the car or at home (if you live close). You don’t need it in Church. All you need is your heart, your presence, and Jesus Christ (who is always there).

3. Don’t sit next to people you are going to be tempted to talk to. For example, we always visit my grandparents for Christmas and I find myself sitting next to my very funny and chatty grandma, and we always both find ourselves getting distracted. A little talking here and there is fine, but remember what the priority is!

4. Do not clap for homilies.

5. Listen carefully to the eucharistic prayer and words of consecration.

6. Bow when you are “on deck” for communion.

7. Receive the Eucharist and then return to prayer (kneeling). Do not go back and loose focus. Think about what has just happened.

8. Heed the dismissal words: “Go in peace and glorify the Lord by your life.”