N
NCSue
Guest
Unfortunately, Ockham, I think you’re correct. Nonetheless, even if I didn’t find it rewarding (not the case, by the way), an hour a week seems a paltry return for all He’s done for me.
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O
Ockham
Guest
"Before you go further in this brief study – and it is a study that we invite you to – of the single most important thing in your life, we must make a promise to you first: it will not be dry or boring, nor will it be fraught with meaningless pieties. You will understand what the Mass is, why it is holy, and why you must be there. This is our promise to you.
It will not be “socially correct”, sanitized to sensitivities, or keeping in step with the passing fads that blow through the pews and across the Altars as so many shifting winds following that elusive mantra of “what is in vogue”. There is perpetuity in the Church, and unchangeable elements of the Mass. Hopefully, we will enable you to see beyond the Mass so often presented as entertainment, hosted by an entertainer, to the deep and very sacred reality within it.
“The Mass”, as we most often call it, is really short for, “The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass”."
boston-catholic-journal.com/most-holy-sacrifice-of-the-mass-a-primer-for-clueless-catholics-part-1.htm
It will not be “socially correct”, sanitized to sensitivities, or keeping in step with the passing fads that blow through the pews and across the Altars as so many shifting winds following that elusive mantra of “what is in vogue”. There is perpetuity in the Church, and unchangeable elements of the Mass. Hopefully, we will enable you to see beyond the Mass so often presented as entertainment, hosted by an entertainer, to the deep and very sacred reality within it.
“The Mass”, as we most often call it, is really short for, “The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass”."
boston-catholic-journal.com/most-holy-sacrifice-of-the-mass-a-primer-for-clueless-catholics-part-1.htm
H
Hislittlelady
Guest
Let me tell you what helped me. I also used to be bored to tears and dreading sitting through an entire hour of mass, yet knew it was my Sunday obligation, so I went no matter what. Through the years I started doing a lot of reading on the Catholic church starting with the early church fathers. My knowledge is not extensive but just enough that I learned the basics of what we’re all about. That alone didn’t do it for me, but I started to search around because I realized the church I was attending had absolutely no ministry at all, and the priests there should not have been behind the pulpit, since many people took off never to return. I finally found a church about fifteen years ago, which was more appealing and had priests that gave wonderful sermons. That’s how it all began for me. Later on, after tragic losses in my life, I got more serious about praying and church going, and then these wonderful priests came, including seminarians, that all came from South American countries. One from Cuba, one from Columbia and the others from various parts. The church slowly started to evolve into a large portion of Hispanic congregants. I can only say that I have never seen such holiness in my life as the Latino priests. You can actually feel the presence of God by their ministries and they’re consecration of the host, and I became so enamored of Jesus Christ through them, that I actually went on to become a Eucharistic Minister. I have never felt the Lord so close to me. I have evolved from a person who was bored out of mind mind to one who simply cannot wait each Sunday to go to Mass. This is simply my story and how it worked out for me. There are many holy priests, not only Latino ones, but my only little humble piece of advice would be to keep searching for that one special church that will speak to your heart. God will guide you to it. I know because He led me to mine after I kept asking for this blessing, and He did. I pray for you that you will be blessed by the Hand of God and find that one special place that will bring you before His throne. :bible1:This is my struggle. I love my religion, but have no patience for Mass. It thoroughly bores me. I can’t stay awake. I dread going, because it’s so long, disorganized, chaotic and quite frankly, mind-numbing. Yet, I feel better afterward, for having gone, so I know on another level it’s rewarding. This is one of my greatest weaknesses. Any suggestions?
Blessings and honor and Glory to Jesus Christ, Our King
O
Ockham
Guest
Let us look at some of these things in the way of the Mass and what it is NOT (in order to understand what it really is):
THE MASS IS NOT:
Entertainment
A social
A musical
A comedy
A talent show
Your gift to God in an act of personal munificence and sacrifice for which God should be grateful…
A liturgical and linguistic laboratory
A mere remembrance of something done long ago
A mere ritual, albeit a very ancient one
Optional
None of the above is even remotely connected to the Mass. To better understand this, imagine the following scenario:
Jesus Christ, hanging on the Cross, is being crucified before you. He is dying! His hair is matted with blood from the Crown of Thorns and His face is bruised from the blows of the Roman soldiers and covered with spit from all who mock Him. He is disrobed and open to shame. Even as the blood continues to issue from too many lacerations to count from the Scourging at the Pillar an hour before and the nails hold fast against the flesh yielding under the weight of the cruciform Figure, He is crying out in agony to His Father. Mary, His Mother, is standing before Him crying inconsolably, and would crumple to the ground were she not borne up by John and Mary Magdalene. They are weeping uncontrollably, too. All around, pious women are weeping and wailing, men are sobbing and jeering. It is a scene of utter desolation, unfathomable sorrow, a torrent of tears and a torrent of taunts.
Have you grasped the scene? THIS is what is being enacted before you at the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Now we arrive.
The electric guitars are plugged in, the drum and trap set are being set up, and the piano is being tuned. The acoustic guitars are being strummed aimlessly, and the flute trills sporadically in the background. There is chattering intermingled with laughter among the musicians. They are preparing to entertain the sobbing women, the raging men, and the indifferent spectators looking on. The entertainment is about to begin and Cat Stevens’ (now a Muslim), “Morning has Broken” is the song that will first greet us on Calvary after the MC of the musicians cordially welcomes us to the Crucifixion. Throughout the Mass they will compete with Jesus Christ on the Cross for our attention and adulation, calling us away from the Cross that we made of our sins for the Son of God to hang upon, to their virtuosity as singers, guitarists, or piano players. They will entertain us.
But we are a restless audience, and demand more than music during this drama. We want comedy, too. The priest accommodates us, demonstrating his own virtuosity as an entertainer. He had stood briefly at the Altar by the Cross, but is now eager to leave the summit of Golgotha altogether and to walk among his audience. He leaves the Sanctuary of suffering and walks the aisles and avenues of the spectators, much in the manner of talk show hosts trying to garner the attention of the people for himself. What better way than comedy? And he is well provisioned with anecdotes and jokes … some rather “sly” and just slightly “off-color” (“what a rascal!” we smile, as insiders of the joke with him).
There may be a “question and answer session” in the style of successful television hosts, but the point is to make you feel terribly good about yourself, and him — despite what is going on in the background, on that sad summit that he quickly left and where Christ still hangs. With the “punch-line” the skit ends, sometimes vaguely connected with what is going on with Christ, or something He said prior to His being raised on the Cross.
Still restless, the audience is once again entertained by the musicians, and they remain once the Crucifixion has been consummated and Christ is dead on the Cross … awaiting our applause — which we extend them despite a sense of terrible incongruity with all that has happened in the background and from which we had been constantly pulled away … lest we see or understand the consequences of our sins … and the magnitude of Christ’s love for us.
An impolite assessment, to be sure. But a very accurate assessment … nevertheless.
There are, of course, many other things that the Mass is not. These are merely the more salient among them, for they are, very likely, what we encounter most often before, during, and after Mass, in the trivializing of the most momentous act in history that unfolds before us.
It is true that we cannot fully comprehend what the the Mass is …
We can, however, clearly grasp what it is not … even if we would have it otherwise.
boston-catholic-journal.com/most-holy-sacrifice-of-the-mass-a-primer-for-clueless-catholics-part-8.htm
THE MASS IS NOT:
Entertainment
A social
A musical
A comedy
A talent show
Your gift to God in an act of personal munificence and sacrifice for which God should be grateful…
A liturgical and linguistic laboratory
A mere remembrance of something done long ago
A mere ritual, albeit a very ancient one
Optional
None of the above is even remotely connected to the Mass. To better understand this, imagine the following scenario:
Jesus Christ, hanging on the Cross, is being crucified before you. He is dying! His hair is matted with blood from the Crown of Thorns and His face is bruised from the blows of the Roman soldiers and covered with spit from all who mock Him. He is disrobed and open to shame. Even as the blood continues to issue from too many lacerations to count from the Scourging at the Pillar an hour before and the nails hold fast against the flesh yielding under the weight of the cruciform Figure, He is crying out in agony to His Father. Mary, His Mother, is standing before Him crying inconsolably, and would crumple to the ground were she not borne up by John and Mary Magdalene. They are weeping uncontrollably, too. All around, pious women are weeping and wailing, men are sobbing and jeering. It is a scene of utter desolation, unfathomable sorrow, a torrent of tears and a torrent of taunts.
Have you grasped the scene? THIS is what is being enacted before you at the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Now we arrive.
The electric guitars are plugged in, the drum and trap set are being set up, and the piano is being tuned. The acoustic guitars are being strummed aimlessly, and the flute trills sporadically in the background. There is chattering intermingled with laughter among the musicians. They are preparing to entertain the sobbing women, the raging men, and the indifferent spectators looking on. The entertainment is about to begin and Cat Stevens’ (now a Muslim), “Morning has Broken” is the song that will first greet us on Calvary after the MC of the musicians cordially welcomes us to the Crucifixion. Throughout the Mass they will compete with Jesus Christ on the Cross for our attention and adulation, calling us away from the Cross that we made of our sins for the Son of God to hang upon, to their virtuosity as singers, guitarists, or piano players. They will entertain us.
But we are a restless audience, and demand more than music during this drama. We want comedy, too. The priest accommodates us, demonstrating his own virtuosity as an entertainer. He had stood briefly at the Altar by the Cross, but is now eager to leave the summit of Golgotha altogether and to walk among his audience. He leaves the Sanctuary of suffering and walks the aisles and avenues of the spectators, much in the manner of talk show hosts trying to garner the attention of the people for himself. What better way than comedy? And he is well provisioned with anecdotes and jokes … some rather “sly” and just slightly “off-color” (“what a rascal!” we smile, as insiders of the joke with him).
There may be a “question and answer session” in the style of successful television hosts, but the point is to make you feel terribly good about yourself, and him — despite what is going on in the background, on that sad summit that he quickly left and where Christ still hangs. With the “punch-line” the skit ends, sometimes vaguely connected with what is going on with Christ, or something He said prior to His being raised on the Cross.
Still restless, the audience is once again entertained by the musicians, and they remain once the Crucifixion has been consummated and Christ is dead on the Cross … awaiting our applause — which we extend them despite a sense of terrible incongruity with all that has happened in the background and from which we had been constantly pulled away … lest we see or understand the consequences of our sins … and the magnitude of Christ’s love for us.
An impolite assessment, to be sure. But a very accurate assessment … nevertheless.
There are, of course, many other things that the Mass is not. These are merely the more salient among them, for they are, very likely, what we encounter most often before, during, and after Mass, in the trivializing of the most momentous act in history that unfolds before us.
It is true that we cannot fully comprehend what the the Mass is …
We can, however, clearly grasp what it is not … even if we would have it otherwise.
boston-catholic-journal.com/most-holy-sacrifice-of-the-mass-a-primer-for-clueless-catholics-part-8.htm
O
Ockham
Guest
I’m glad you’ve found such fulfillment in the Church, but sorry you had to search for it. Unfortunately many of us have been put in a similar situation. “Catholic” is supposed to be synonymous with “Universal” meaning that Mass at your church is almost exactly like mine. The Novos Ordo and “spirit of Vatican II” changed that and brought in creativity and experiments with the sacred liturgy. Soon after your parish’s Mass became quite different than others and many found it unfulfilling so they left.I finally found a church about fifteen years ago, which was more appealing and had priests that gave wonderful sermons.
You are not a “Eucharistic Minister”. That is a term reserved for the priest. You are an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a role which is only supposed to be used in times of absolute necessity. EMHCs diminish the role of the priest and reverence of the Blessed Sacrament. If you truly love the Blessed Sacrament then you’d leave the role of distributing Holy Communion to the ordained and receive Him on your tongue while kneeling in the norm of the Church.I became so enamored of Jesus Christ through them, that I actually went on to become a Eucharistic Minister. I have never felt the Lord so close to me.
B
Bob_Crowley
Guest
If its disorganised and chaotic, then your particular church needs to clean up its act in this regard.This is my struggle. I love my religion, but have no patience for Mass. It thoroughly bores me. I can’t stay awake. I dread going, because it’s so long, disorganized, chaotic and quite frankly, mind-numbing. Yet, I feel better afterward, for having gone, so I know on another level it’s rewarding. This is one of my greatest weaknesses. Any suggestions?
I used to be Protesant, and if there’s one thing I miss, it’s a stimulating sermon, plus the generally greater effort that Protestants put into their worship. The homilies we get served at mass do nothing for me. Granted they’re not the centre of the mass, but it irritates me that they’re so weak.
Other than that I don’t mind going to mass. There are only two real hindrances that sometimes stop or try to stop me - sheer laziness and / or a guilty conscience.
But our masses are at least orderly and not chaotic.
H
Hislittlelady
Guest
Your post was absolutely beautiful and so very true. I have always been a traditionalist and I do not approve of so many changes that were made. I am not young so therefore I remember how the church used to be, with all the reverance and holiness which it seems Vatican II removed in many ways. Sad to say it’s true that I had to go on a real quest to finally come upon my holy church. I wouldn’t leave it for any amount of money. I feel I’ve found where I belong. Everything they do and the way the mass is celebrated is with holiness which brings to mind the days of pre Vatican II. There is no clanging of symbols and no hopping around in dance or any other silliness that takes reverance out of our mass.I’m glad you’ve found such fulfillment in the Church, but sorry you had to search for it. Unfortunately many of us have been put in a similar situation. “Catholic” is supposed to be synonymous with “Universal” meaning that Mass at your church is almost exactly like mine. The Novos Ordo and “spirit of Vatican II” changed that and brought in creativity and experiments with the sacred liturgy. Soon after your parish’s Mass became quite different than others and many found it unfulfilling so they left.
You are not a “Eucharistic Minister”. That is a term reserved for the priest. You are an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a role which is only supposed to be used in times of absolute necessity. EMHCs diminish the role of the priest and reverence of the Blessed Sacrament. If you truly love the Blessed Sacrament then you’d leave the role of distributing Holy Communion to the ordained and receive Him on your tongue while kneeling in the norm of the Church.
As to the term Eucharistic Minister, you are correct. I fully agree, but I’ve brought this up to my fellow ministers, and they tell me they’ve never heard of it, but then at a later time, they brought it up to me again and said they did read this, I believe it was in the Beacon. It is a bad habit to use the term Eucharistic Minister because I am not a priest but an every day lay person, with no special qualities, and as to touching the holy body of the Lord, I am upset by it. The only reason I’ve participated in becoming a lay or extraordinary minister is to assist the priests, where they keep claiming there are not enough of them and they need the help. Based on this, I must say I did feel a call to do this ministry, but it is not of my own decision or my own doing, but I felt a special call from God to do this. Times are different today with different needs according to each parish. and it is my belief that God fully understands the problems of the day and since He has it all in His hands, I have prayed to Him that if I’m doing wrong then to convict me of this. So far, that has not happened. I only feel His complete presence when I serve at the Holy mass and in His holy name.
I leave it all in his hands and His direction. I pray about everything and always rely on my Lord to guide me out of any wrong doing. So far I have only felt his love and peace, so I assume it must be approved by Him.
Thanks for your great post though, it was very enlightening and I do agree with you…
O
OraProNobisIHM
Guest
No, you didn’t.
You became an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
A[n] [ordinary] Eucharistic Minister is a priest or deacon.
G
graceandglory
Guest
I really think that not understanding the Mass makes someone bored with it. I left the Church through the Charismatic Renewal back in the early 80s. I got the idea that Church had to be stimulating to ME, entertaining, providing me opportunities to sing good songs, get an honorary Bible degree, and connect with my friends.I think the more you learn about what is going on at Mass the more meaningful it is to you. Perhaps you could suggest to your pastor that he offer a class that goes through the Mass step by step. My guess is that you’re not the only parishioner who would benefit from it.
When I returned to the Catholic Church 5 yrs ago, I read Scott Hahn’s “The Lamb’s Supper.” Woah!!! After 25 yrs of scripture study… I finally GET IT!!! The Mass is about WORSHIP and PRAYER.
So the way I see it now…
First part: Prayer/Worship (I confess, Glory to God)
Second: Scripture reading
Third: Homily (scripture study)
Fourth: PRAYER and WORSHIP
Fifth: The Eucharist…The ALTAR CALL…RECEIVING JESUS
Wow, and that’s all in the NO form of the Mass!!!
O
Ockham
Guest
Father Barron has some insight: wordonfire.org/WOF-TV/Commentaries.aspx#yt_video
S
sabriner
Guest
KingAlfred, I share your sentiments. Going to Mass, which IS the MOST IMPORTANT and highest form of prayer EVER, a treasure to be valued even more than heaven itself, and then seeing others (especially those who shouldn’t) go about serving in it sloppily is probably the greatest disappointments in life. I forgot who it was, but it was a saint or blessed who said that if there were just one priest who would celebrate Mass with the same appreciation and love as the Apostles did then the whole world would be converted.
Yet, through this Mary had showed me that it was exactly that way at Calvary. She made it even more real to me, that it is a re-presentation, by showing me that. It makes me pray even more. I can’t leave my parish because that is where God put me to serve, so I just focus on Jesus and try as much as I can to make reparation.
Anyway, I can’t say any much more without repeating what others said, but I will pray and suffer for you, and others like you.
Yet, through this Mary had showed me that it was exactly that way at Calvary. She made it even more real to me, that it is a re-presentation, by showing me that. It makes me pray even more. I can’t leave my parish because that is where God put me to serve, so I just focus on Jesus and try as much as I can to make reparation.
Anyway, I can’t say any much more without repeating what others said, but I will pray and suffer for you, and others like you.
M
mwscott
Guest
I would suggest reading about the Mass. The most important - but often overlooked - necessity for the celebration of the Eucharist is to understand it. In my opinion, every Catholic should know every part of the Mass, what it is called, why it is called that, and why we pray and say what we do. The Mass is not just a spectator sport, it is a prayer, and a renewal of the catholic faith.
I would suggest, “A Short History of the Mass” by Alfred McBride. You can read it in a day and it gives often surprising historical background for all of the elements of the Mass. I would also recommend buying a modern version of the Manual of Prayers, or a small Missal to follow along during the celebration and to study in your free time.
I would suggest, “A Short History of the Mass” by Alfred McBride. You can read it in a day and it gives often surprising historical background for all of the elements of the Mass. I would also recommend buying a modern version of the Manual of Prayers, or a small Missal to follow along during the celebration and to study in your free time.
P
Palm_Tree
Guest
This book is rated **5-stars **by the 65 our so reviewers on Amazon for a reason, it really is that awesome. You can’t help but love the Mass if you read it. It’s a small book, very quick to read.This is my struggle. I love my religion, but have no patience for Mass. It thoroughly bores me. I can’t stay awake. I dread going, because it’s so long, disorganized, chaotic and quite frankly, mind-numbing. Yet, I feel better afterward, for having gone, so I know on another level it’s rewarding. This is one of my greatest weaknesses. Any suggestions?
*The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You by Michael Dubruiel *
amazon.com/How-Book-Mass-Everything-Taught/dp/1592762697/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c
K
KingAlfred
Guest
Strangely enough, my opposition to Obama has driven back to Mass. When he said, “We’re not a Christian nation”, and I felt the strongest desire to become a regular church-goer, again.
P
Palm_Tree
Guest
Obama the apostle!!! Getting people to take Christianity seriously!!!Strangely enough, my opposition to Obama has driven back to Mass. When he said, “We’re not a Christian nation”, and I felt the strongest desire to become a regular church-goer, again.
That is pretty strange that you weren’t into being a serious Christian until Obama got you to think about your personal responsibility to live the Christian faith you claim to be a believer in, instead of just lazily expecting everybody else around you to do so for you. If you would pay attention to the Pope, the Bishops, the Church, the Gospel, Christ, etc, they might have been the ones that challenged you to take Christianity seriously, instead of Obama. Regardless, you should be thankful to God for working through Obama and finally getting through to you to take your Christian faith seriously.
L
Leonius
Guest
Stop just sitting there and pray.This is my struggle. I love my religion, but have no patience for Mass. It thoroughly bores me. I can’t stay awake. I dread going, because it’s so long, disorganized, chaotic and quite frankly, mind-numbing. Yet, I feel better afterward, for having gone, so I know on another level it’s rewarding. This is one of my greatest weaknesses. Any suggestions?
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