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sidetrack
Guest
There are days when Mass seems kind of like an overly routine doing and I would not like it to seem that way.That’s why I’m asking.Thank for your time.
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OraLabora
Guest
If you want perfunctory, check out the 6 am Mass in a Benedictine monastery for the monks going out to work in the fields and can’t make it back for the 11 am conventual Mass!
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Theophorus
Guest
Sometimes thats where we are, so to speak, the thing to do is to try and be more attentive and unite yourself more fully with Christ at the next Mass you attend. What I try and always focus myself on is that He is truly there present in our mist. That the Lord of life has humbled Himself and offers Himself to us in every Mass, and that He offers us this way to unite ourselves with Him.Hope that helps
B
Brooklyn
Guest
Not only Mass but prayer and devotions can get to the point where it seems like we’re just going through the motions. I often have to start my daily devotions over more than once because I realize that my mind has been elsewhere, and I really have to pray diligently to be totally present in my mind.
First, in my opinion, you must realize that our feelings mean nothing at all. Just because Mass or prayer doesn’t feel like anything is happening, that is not necessarily the case at all. Remember, Blessed Mother Teresa went through 50 years of the dark night of the soul where she felt basically nothing. It got to the point where she was actually questioning if God even existed because she was so enveloped in “nothingness.” But she kept putting one foot in front of the other and obeyed.
And that is all we can do. It would be great to be on a perpetual high. But the truth is, as you grow in grace and spiritual maturity, those highs will get to be less and less. It’s sort of like falling in love. When we first fall in love, there is nothing that seems like drudgery with the one we love. We can’t wait to be with them every moment. Just the sound of their voice will send us into a cloud. But after you get married, the highs disappear and the drudgery of life sets in. That is often the way it is with the spiritual life.
In short, don’t pay any attention to your feelings. Often what I will do is contemplate the passion and death of our Lord, and all he did to save us from eternal damnation. I will read the lives of the saints and how they completely gave their lives to the Lord in the face of all opposition. I think it comes down to just getting our minds off of ourselves.
I don’t know if any of that helps, but I hope it does.
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losh14
Guest
Taking time to prepare yourself prior to Mass, if that’s at all possible, is one way to go. Taking time after Mass as well is even better. Our old parish would ask parishoners to go into the commons areas after Mass so that the sanctuary could be at the use of those in prayer and those journaling - after a speaker described journaling as a way to pray, a number in our parish developed this as an avid discipline, and found they enjoyed Mass far more having been able to take time to digest and ponder afterwards.
I have a hard time enjoying Mass, but it’s because of two small children who perpetually need a diaper change once we get in the car and also during the Eucharistic Liturgy. Also I have celiac disease, so those days they run out of wine early I get a nice look from those around me who just wonder why I’m skipping out of line.
I have a hard time enjoying Mass, but it’s because of two small children who perpetually need a diaper change once we get in the car and also during the Eucharistic Liturgy. Also I have celiac disease, so those days they run out of wine early I get a nice look from those around me who just wonder why I’m skipping out of line.
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bmullins
Guest
By being ‘present’. By not just sitting there and daydreaming or thinking about other things, but by making your mind go over what is going on before you. What does the epiclesis mean? Why are there bells ringing? What does the incense mean and why does it’s ability to obfuscate our vision have such a profound symbolism?
When we make our mind come forward, to participate fully, to know that Heaven is kissing earth right in front of us… to know that the cross of Calvary, the last supper, the Lamb’s supper in Heaven are all before us in a mysterious yet tangible way! To know that when we sing Holy Holy Holy, Lord God of Hosts, we are not singing alone but with all the angelic host in Heaven and the Saints! To realize that even when we don’t feel his presence, that it is still right there before us!
I find the more I study, the more I keep my mind on God, the more meaningful mass is. If I spend all week watching secular TV, doing things of the world, and not thinking about God at all… then rightly at the end of the week my mind isn’t on God either…
But that if I spend each day in prayer, watching television that uplifts, reading commentaries, books about God, my bible, and listening to radio stations that tell me more about the Catholic faith, then by the time Sunday rolls around… my heart is calling out for more… the mystery is always greater and deeper than our mortal minds can understand, but that is part of what makes me long for more!
I also find that doing Lauds and Vespers every day helps me keep my mind in ‘rhythm’ with the church, and that going to daily mass every chance I get helps me continue in those graces that increase my faith. Remember faith is a gift from God! Keep praying and allowing Him to grow that faith in you, by continuing to feed your belief!
When we make our mind come forward, to participate fully, to know that Heaven is kissing earth right in front of us… to know that the cross of Calvary, the last supper, the Lamb’s supper in Heaven are all before us in a mysterious yet tangible way! To know that when we sing Holy Holy Holy, Lord God of Hosts, we are not singing alone but with all the angelic host in Heaven and the Saints! To realize that even when we don’t feel his presence, that it is still right there before us!
I find the more I study, the more I keep my mind on God, the more meaningful mass is. If I spend all week watching secular TV, doing things of the world, and not thinking about God at all… then rightly at the end of the week my mind isn’t on God either…
But that if I spend each day in prayer, watching television that uplifts, reading commentaries, books about God, my bible, and listening to radio stations that tell me more about the Catholic faith, then by the time Sunday rolls around… my heart is calling out for more… the mystery is always greater and deeper than our mortal minds can understand, but that is part of what makes me long for more!
I also find that doing Lauds and Vespers every day helps me keep my mind in ‘rhythm’ with the church, and that going to daily mass every chance I get helps me continue in those graces that increase my faith. Remember faith is a gift from God! Keep praying and allowing Him to grow that faith in you, by continuing to feed your belief!
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bscastro
Guest
Great thread!
A couple things I am trying - not always consistently - but always helps:
God bless,
Bryan
A couple things I am trying - not always consistently - but always helps:
- I pray before Mass - “Lord, help me to be attentive to your Word so that I may learn and to praise you as you deserve.”
- I try to review the readings before Mass. This helps quite a bit as then I come up with little questions/thoughts to listen for in the Homily.
- I try to get to Mass a few minutes early - with the little ones not always possible - to put myself in the right mindset.\
- During Mass - I try to be very attentive to every word spoken and every word I speak.
- After Mass, I stay a few minutes and pray giving thanks to God.
God bless,
Bryan
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Rich_C
Guest
Contemplate the sufferings of Our Lady as she assisted at Christ’s first Mass, standing at the foot of the cross. Then reflect that you’re mystically present at the foot of the cross each time the Sacrifice of Christ is re-presented on the altar at Mass. It helps me a lot.
po18guy
Well-known member
Adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament outside of mass can truly make a difference. Reading 7 Secrets of the Eucharist can make a difference. Reading any of various books that will “unpack” the mass for you can make a huge difference.
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bmullins
Guest
Wow… that’s one I’ve never thought about… Mary assisting at the first Mass… and we being present to follow her example, that’s powerful stuff.
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Credo_in_Deum
Guest
Try not to worry. Sometimes God takes away our spiritual consolations and love is shown through perseverance.
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George_Stegmeir
Guest
On a practical note: If attending mass has become so routine for you that your mind wanders, etc., why not get a missal or a mass card (both are often placed somewhere in the pews), and follow the mass by reading all of the prayers silently -both of the priest as well as the responses-read the gospel and epistle to yourself as they are being read from the altar or the ambo. This will force you mentally to concentrate on the mass and it will not seem to be a perfunctory exercise.
Above all, do not rely on memory to say the responsive prayers in the mass. In all probability, you have become so familiar with them you are saying them by rote-and that is the heart of your problem. You are praying without thinking and all sort of extranious thoughts can and will intrude and disturb your praying.
Above all, do not rely on memory to say the responsive prayers in the mass. In all probability, you have become so familiar with them you are saying them by rote-and that is the heart of your problem. You are praying without thinking and all sort of extranious thoughts can and will intrude and disturb your praying.
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PennyinCanada
Guest
Go to an Eastern Rite Divine Liturgy and that will shake things up. 
Try imagining the scene from the 10 Commandments where Moses comes up to the Burning Bush, the Voice, Moses taking off his sandals and falling to his face. We have something greater here.
The 3 youths thrown into the fiery furnace and they walked inside unharmed, with their heavenly visitor. (Daniel Ch3) Like God, a burning fire, yet not consumed, like the burning bush.
If you read the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings Ch18, verse 16 onward, it’s a showdown. If you aren’t familiar with the story, I don’t want to ruin it for you, but read it and realize that we have something greater in the Eucharist.
Try imagining the scene from the 10 Commandments where Moses comes up to the Burning Bush, the Voice, Moses taking off his sandals and falling to his face. We have something greater here.
The 3 youths thrown into the fiery furnace and they walked inside unharmed, with their heavenly visitor. (Daniel Ch3) Like God, a burning fire, yet not consumed, like the burning bush.
If you read the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings Ch18, verse 16 onward, it’s a showdown. If you aren’t familiar with the story, I don’t want to ruin it for you, but read it and realize that we have something greater in the Eucharist.
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Nat682
Guest
Maybe consider not going to Mass every single day; instead just go on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays or something like that. If you do it every day, it is probably more likely to seem routine.
Also, if you are going to the Extraordinary Form, silently pray the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar along with the priest and servers.
Also, if you are going to the Extraordinary Form, silently pray the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar along with the priest and servers.
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Theophorus
Guest
I know absence is supposed to make the heart grow fonder, but less frequent Holy Mass as a remedy to a mentality of routine will do you no better, as you will soon be in the same situation but with Holy Mass less often.
po18guy
Well-known member
What occurs spiritually at the mass is invisible. At the epiclesis, the Holy Spirit is invisible. The angels who are present to us during the Holy, Holy, Holy are invisible. The change that is effected in the bread and wine at the consecration is invisible. But, what was happening in our presence was and is miraculous. When I finally came to realize that, I never looked at mass the same again. Whereas it had been boring, I came to realize the miracles that were occurring in my presence. My wife heard on Catholic radio that it was a good thing to take notes during the homily. So, she took a notepad and began to do so. She was surprised to find that she remembered the content of the homily much better, as well as noting that those points were related both to one another as well as to the readings.
The more involved one is with the mass, the more amazing it becomes, and the more grateful we can be for the eternal sacrifice that our Lord made on our behalf.
The more involved one is with the mass, the more amazing it becomes, and the more grateful we can be for the eternal sacrifice that our Lord made on our behalf.
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PennyinCanada
Guest
The ‘don’t go to Mass everyday and things will improve’ is just what the enemy would whisper in our ears!
If we push through, although it’s routine, dull, and we’d rather not, (this goes for all our duties in our state in life) there is more merit for us before the Throne of God. We should be able to progress in our maturity and not remain babies, always needing our needs to be satisfied. Being a son or daughter of God is an awesome privilege, but we still have to clean our rooms and do our homework.
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bscastro
Guest
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giuseppeTO
Guest
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.
By all means, do not assist at Mass less frequently. E gads!
Develop a devotion to the True Presence and the anticipation and excitement will never fail you.
By all means, do not assist at Mass less frequently. E gads!
F
fred_conty
Guest
This “Mass Appreciation” thread has very good points thruout.
Maybe someone should write a brief phamplet for catholics. Then those that complain that they don’t get anything out of Mass, or that its boring, would begin to appreciate what they have in a way that makes sense to them.
How could we not appreciate the suffering Jesus did for each of us which is renewed at Mass.
One of the things that help overcome my doldrums is to visualize particular scenes of Jesus in his active life. To think that this Person who walked in the grass, with the sun high in the sky, with his apostles around him, his outer garment flowing in the breeze, making hast to the next village. When out of the blue comes a man calling to him. And seeing the man, Jesus stops and tells his apostles to bring the man to him. Then I hear Jesus’ voice saying to the man, “why is it that you called me?” Then the man looks up with his eyes drawn and with a pleading voice,“please, you know Lord, help me.” Then Jesus looking down upon him with love and compassion, stretching out his hand, lifts the man up saying, “be healed”.
After this I picture this same Jesus, in person, at the altar offering the Mass again. And I realize after 2000 years, I am the lukiest man that every walked the face of the earth, to be that close to him again. And when after the changing of the bread and wine into his very own body and blood, the miracle, I then anticipate this very sacred body and blood soon to be offered to the Father on my behalf, as well as all the people present, and for and with the people all over the world, for their sins. The very beloved Son of our Father, which the Father would always accept because this innocent Lamb is so precious to Him. How could our Father be anythng but pleased with us after such an acceptable gift of his beloved Son? And the Father says to us “be healed”.
Or again sometimes I will picture him in a boat in the calm water just off the sandy shore from Capharnum, standing, and teaching the people. Visualling his physical features and his intense desire to draw all to the kindom of his Father.
And then I see Him again, in the same way, standing there at the altar.
Just a thought about stirring up the faith.
Maybe someone should write a brief phamplet for catholics. Then those that complain that they don’t get anything out of Mass, or that its boring, would begin to appreciate what they have in a way that makes sense to them.
How could we not appreciate the suffering Jesus did for each of us which is renewed at Mass.
One of the things that help overcome my doldrums is to visualize particular scenes of Jesus in his active life. To think that this Person who walked in the grass, with the sun high in the sky, with his apostles around him, his outer garment flowing in the breeze, making hast to the next village. When out of the blue comes a man calling to him. And seeing the man, Jesus stops and tells his apostles to bring the man to him. Then I hear Jesus’ voice saying to the man, “why is it that you called me?” Then the man looks up with his eyes drawn and with a pleading voice,“please, you know Lord, help me.” Then Jesus looking down upon him with love and compassion, stretching out his hand, lifts the man up saying, “be healed”.
After this I picture this same Jesus, in person, at the altar offering the Mass again. And I realize after 2000 years, I am the lukiest man that every walked the face of the earth, to be that close to him again. And when after the changing of the bread and wine into his very own body and blood, the miracle, I then anticipate this very sacred body and blood soon to be offered to the Father on my behalf, as well as all the people present, and for and with the people all over the world, for their sins. The very beloved Son of our Father, which the Father would always accept because this innocent Lamb is so precious to Him. How could our Father be anythng but pleased with us after such an acceptable gift of his beloved Son? And the Father says to us “be healed”.
Or again sometimes I will picture him in a boat in the calm water just off the sandy shore from Capharnum, standing, and teaching the people. Visualling his physical features and his intense desire to draw all to the kindom of his Father.
And then I see Him again, in the same way, standing there at the altar.
Just a thought about stirring up the faith.
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