How does one avoid falling into a "mass rut?"

[bscastro]

If you truly believe that Christ becomes physically present at the Consecration, when that happens, how can it be even remotely perfunctory?

Develop a devotion to the True Presence and the anticipation and excitement will never fail you.

Although sometimes difficult logistically, I desire to be in the presence of our Lord constantly now! Maybe not constantly, but very often.

I’ve started receiving on the tongue today again after years of receiving in the hand. Not that it is wrong to receive it in the hand, but I feel so unworthy as well as grateful to receive our Lord, that I want to do it in the most proper and respectful way possible. Don’t want to start any debates on this as I participated in a long thread on this a couple months ago, just sharing my recent love of the Eucharist and the enthusiasm of the reality of the Real Presence of our Lord.

God bless,
Bryan

 

[bscastro]

As a quick addendum to my last post:

Part of this has been inspired by my current reading of Mother Teresa’s letters in Come, Be My Light. She talks about the suffering she endures and her desire to have the Eucharist daily because of her trust in the Lord. She asked the bishop to have a priest say Mass daily so that her sisters could receive the Lord daily because only in such a way can they have strength to live in such poverty and do their missionary work. I was moved by her devotion which in part inspired what I said in my previous post.

God bless,
Bryan

 

[letters2mary]

Sometime during the past two years I developed a mule-like stubbornness respecting the Mass obligation. I don’t want to go precisely because it is demanded of me. I want to want to go, and there is no denying to myself that this resistance is very real. Once I’m there, by the way, I am fine, if more or less impressed by the music, homily, etc.

Last weekend I tried telling myself that I was going to participate in a celebration which Christ would attend. (I know how obvious this is, but have I pretended to genius? No.) I will see how this works in the persuasion department.

It is not good in a real sense to know others are feeling this way, but it is consoling to know I am not alone.

 

[bmonk]

Getting into a rut is perhaps inevitable–we tend to lose focus over time.

Still, persistence is more important than feelings–if you fall into a rut, and keep going, keep praying and such, the feelings will return. You might look into the “Dark Night of the Senses” and “of the Soul” (or comparable ideas from other Spiritual Masters): God sometimes takes away the consolation of sweetness from our practice to strengthen our soul, and so we don’t just look to immediate rewards, but look to God himself for our good.

And, as others have mentioned, good preparation and follow-through help: I find even dressing is a form of preparation, helping put me in a proper mind-set. Going and arriving early enough to settle into attentive quiet and prayer. Considering the readings, and what they say to me. And after, thanking God for His gifts, considering the readings further, especially in light of the homily or the whole Mass, asking what God wants of me today as I head back into the world, and so on.

 

[Kenny_Kamel]

I was just praying about this last night, I attend daily Mass 7-days-a-week and often feel complacent as if I’m just going through the motions. I can think of one thing that might help, get in touch with other people at Mass or to bring someone with you. We are all there sharing in the Mass together, why not reach out by talking to others after Mass? Start a reflections group to discuss the daily readings. Bring your friends and have them sit with you or start sitting with some of the new people you meet. I find my Daily Mass routine far more enjoyable when I’m connected with those around me.

 

[Macneill321]

I truly enjoy reading all of your answers, because any single answer can only contain part of the truth. I think this is why I used to “practice” my accounting profession; if I didn’t keep current with developments and things I already knew, then I would not be effective and would only be bored with my job. This would be borne from fear (because I don’t know what’s new, and I can’t serve well) and I am sure from negative feedback from my clients.

I need to practice my faith as well. Brooklyn, I like what you said… anyway, I do listen to CDs on religious topics, and recently I bought two series: “Parts of the Mass” and “History of the Mass.” The presenter, a priest and scholar, commented that “If people knew what is actually happening in the Mass, there would’t be a vacant pew anywhere.” I agree. So, to me, continuing adult formation is necessary to make one’s faith alive! Knowledge doesn’t create faith, but it makes that gift easier to keep. If my faith is alive, I don’t become bored with anything in it, especially the Mass, which is the “source and summit” of our Catholic Faith.

I went through a course in the Book of Revelation. In it, there are verses that describe every single part of the Mass. One that especially strikes me is when we “Lift up our hearts…” At that moment, we join with the Supper of the Lamb, where the Church Triumphant (The souls in Heaven) celebrates the eternal redemptive event. As Jesus did, so must we do. He offered and gave Himself Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to the Father.
We imitate that sacrifice to the Father when we prepare for Eucharist, I like to say now that we enter into communion with Jesus and His Mystical Body, the Communion of Saints. Under and through Him, we enter into communion with each other as well.

When we say the Our Father we prepare ourselves to enter into Communion with and through Jesus; we bring a more pure self to the altar, especially when we pray as Jesus taught us, and ask the Father’s forgiveness to the extent we forgive others. When we express the sign of peace, we both acknowledge those with us and should take the opportunity to bring to mind any person in our life, past or present, with whom we are not reconciled. If we forgive in this way, we are closer and closer to God because we are doing Jesus’ will!

The dismissal is not the end. The word “Mass” comes from the Latin word “Missa” which implies a mission, that comes to us by virtue of Baptism. This is a Monday-to-Saturday command where we go into the world with the graces we obtained during Eucharist, and by having heard and listened to the Word proclaimed to us. If we go out and do whatever that day’s message is, we lead a Catholic Christian life in the best way possible. If you’re like me, go have hot cross buns, donuts or whatever, and read the comics. But don’t forget- the Mass doesn’t end!

There are so many aspects to the Mass, it’s worth investigating! Ask your Pastor to arrange for an evening (s) to learn about it. Make it your own parish project!

I’m sure we could all go on and on (I think there is a new program called “On-and-Onanon” for those who like to talk as I do.) I hope I said something to help someone, most especially YOU!

 

[bmonk]

. . .
I went through a course in the Book of Revelation. In it, there are verses that describe every single part of the Mass. One that especially strikes me is when we “Lift up our hearts…” At that moment, we join with the Supper of the Lamb, where the Church Triumphant (The souls in Heaven) celebrates the eternal redemptive event. As Jesus did, so must we do. He offered and gave Himself Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to the Father.
We imitate that sacrifice to the Father when we prepare for Eucharist, I like to say now that we enter into communion with Jesus and His Mystical Body, the Communion of Saints. Under and through Him, we enter into communion with each other as well.
. . .

I like how the book of Revelation shows all the fuss and turmoil on Earth, compared with the serene liturgy going on in Heaven before the throne–and also how much and how long they struggle here, but when God acts, it happens before anyone can see it happening, such as the fall of Babylon.